Clinton Says Obama's Health Plan Leaves People "Out in the Cold"

By: Fernando Suarez
Topics: Hillary Clinton

(CBS)

From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:

YORK, PA. -- Hillary Clinton took issue with a new television ad her Democratic opponent is running in Pennsylvania that criticizes her health care plan. Clinton stood at the center of Beaver Street in downtown York and told the crowd, "I just heard that my opponent has put out an ad attacking my health care plan, which is kind of curious because my plan covers everybody, and his leaves out 15 million people, just leaves them out in the cold."

Barack Obama's new ad takes issue with the fact that Clinton requires all Americans to have health insurance, which she plans to enforce that through mandates. Clinton, though, has yet to say what the penalty will be for those who do not buy into her plan.

Although the attacks from Obama in the ad are not new, it is the first time he has put them in an ad running in this state. Clinton told supporters at the rally that health care requires real solutions and that she is the person who can offer them. "Instead of attacking the problem he chooses to attack my solution," Clinton said. "I don't think that we can just make speeches about this, we have to have a plan that we can actually implement that will provide quality affordable health care, that's what I have been fighting for for 15 years and that's what I will try for as your president."

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by greenfun April 20, 2008 5:38 PM EDT: Obama opposed single-payer bill HR676, sponsored by Congressmen Dennis Kucinich and John Conyers in 2006, although at least 75 members of Congress supported it. Single-payer works by trying to diminish the administrative costs that comprise somewhere around one-third of every health care dollar spent, by eliminating the duplicative nature of these services. The expected $300 billion in annual savings such a system would produce would go directly to cover the uninsured and expand coverage to those who already have insurance, according to Dr. Stephanie Woolhandler, an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and co-founder of Physicians for a National Health Program.

Obama''s own plan has been widely criticized for leaving health care industry administrative costs in place and for allowing millions of people to remain uninsured. "Sicko" filmmaker Michael Moore ridiculed it saying, "Obama wants the insurance companies to help us develop a new health care plan-the same companies who have created the mess in the first place."; Reply to this comment


by lottobee April 20, 2008 4:55 PM EDT: The only way the health insurance companies will buy into a healthcare plan is if it is truly universal. Estimates are that there are 40 million without healthcare and when they go into the emergency rooms all over the country --- who do you think is paying for that now with increased hospital costs? We are. When all of these people are covered the insurance companies will pick up the bills and the federal govt will subsidize some of the insurance costs and the hospital costs will come down. Medical care is rising at a rate of 10% each year --- in part due to uncovered recipients of medical care. It is just not cost effective to allow people to be without medical care until they have an expensive emergency which costs hundreds of thousands of dollars. It''s akin to running your car without oil until you have to replace the engine or go out and buy a new car --- or letting your cracked foundation go without repair until a huge rainstorm floods your entire basement and destroys all your possessions. Do you get it? I hope so.; Reply to this comment


by lottobee April 20, 2008 4:44 PM EDT: Clinton has a record of accomplishment and she is a skilled and dedicated public servant. The only way to solve the healthcare problem is to make it truly universal healthcare. Obama''s "suggestions" will linger in the House & Senate until after he''s long gone. Obama should pay attention to Clinton''s positive ideas (he''s been copying her all along so why is this different?). Also, he has made an indecent gesture in public against Clinton and it''s all over the airwaves and on youtube.com and this should give everyone a pretty clear picture of a man who is not fit for the presidency.; Reply to this comment


by kenbomc April 20, 2008 4:38 PM EDT: ksh1022;

All HRC has been doing for the last 15 years is fight. Obama will bring people together to get this done. The only thing Hillary has accomplished is proving she cannot get this health care plan passed.; Reply to this comment


by kenbomc April 20, 2008 4:34 PM EDT: RowdyTexan2 at 9:14pm;

Yeah right... best option for health care. HRC will penalize people for not obtaining it even if they cannot afford it. HRC would enforce a mandate. Making it illegal to not obtain her health plan.

Obama would keep cost low for people to afford it. He will not penalize people for not obtaining it. His makes more sense.

New commercial for Obama sighting HRC''s 11th hour smear attacks; http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/pa_exactly_ad; Reply to this comment


by ksh1022 April 20, 2008 1:39 AM EDT: Hillary has the better health plan by far. I believe she will fight for the average citizen. I don''t believe Obama is capable of formulating his own plan and seeing it to fruition. I don''t think we has been in the trenches long enough to tough it out with the "big dogs" and get anything substantial accomplished. Hillary is smart, strong and tested. She is capable and strong. This is the kind of president we need. We''ve seen what weak, stupid and inexperienced got us last time.; Reply to this comment


by rowdytexan2 April 20, 2008 12:16 AM EDT: Hillary Clinton''s by far offers the best options for health care!

Obama''s is totally tax dependent and hasn''t a chance in hell of even getting out of committee.; Reply to this comment


by rowdytexan2 April 20, 2008 12:14 AM EDT: 15 years? What the heck has she been doing during that time? The only thing she can promise is to fight with people for another 15 years while sticking to her record of accomplishing absolutely nothing. Hillary is stuck in the 90''''s.

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Posted by kenbomc at 08:16 PM : Apr 19, 2008

Actually she''s solely responsible for pushing four piece of substantive legislation for the people of the US in her terms.

What has Barak Obama done? Named a post office and pass legislation to support efforts in the Congo!

Give us a break!; Reply to this comment


by kenbomc April 19, 2008 11:16 PM EDT: 15 years? What the heck has she been doing during that time? The only thing she can promise is to fight with people for another 15 years while sticking to her record of accomplishing absolutely nothing. Hillary is stuck in the 90''s.; Reply to this comment