Elizabeth Edwards Focuses On Health Care

(CBS)  For the first time since her husband admitted to an extramarital affair, Elizabeth Edwards returned to the public stage last night to talk about health care.

As CBS News Correspondent Bianca Solorzano reports, Edwards told an audience in Philadelphia that the nation's economic problems may draw attention and money that might have been spent on fixing the health care system.

"I'm more discouraged than I was before," Edwards said.

Edwards also says she sparred with Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama over his health care policy, which mandates insurance for children, but not for adults.

"It's not just for your protection that you have health insurance," Edwards said. "It's also for the protection of everybody else's dollars that you make certain that everybody who comes and needs the services of our health care system has insurance and is therefore able to pay for their care."

Edwards kept her remarks to health care policy. After being diagnosed with cancer herself, she's become a respected speaker on the subject. Last night's speech was her first since her husband -- two-time democratic presidential candidate and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards -- publicly admitted last month to an extramarital affair with campaign videographer Rielle Hunter.

"I made a very serious mistake. A mistake that I am responsible for and no one else. In 2006, I told Elizabeth about the mistake, asked for her forgiveness, asked God for his forgiveness," John Edwards said when news of his affair went public.

Elizabeth Edwards has remained quiet about her husband's infidelity -- issuing only a brief statement last month saying "I am proud of the courage John showed by his honesty in the face of shame."

As for John Edwards, he's cancelled all public events until after the election -- saying he doesn't want to be a distraction to his party's ticket.

[southernpacificbr549]

Almost everyone is concerned more with the affair of John Edwards and chastising him instead of looking at the difference which Elizabeth Edwards is making during her time of extreme struggle. I admire this beautiful person who is trying hard to make this world a better place in seeking better health care for everyone. As for the rest of you out there, let''s all try hard to make this world a better place by working hard in life, being positive always, sharing this with others, and last but not least, LET''S LIVE UP TO THE GOLDEN RULE- DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU." None of us are perfect, but let''s work hard to make this world a better place for our children and grandchildren to grow up in. YOU and WE can make a difference!! Do it today, because tomorrow may never come!!

[southernpacificbr549]

I don''t believe GOD would care whether you are rich or poor, black or white, sick or healthy as far as taking care of the health and needs of his CHILDREN!!! What I do find it hard to believe is to compare the members of the "ELITE" - Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Senators, House Members, and Supreme Court Justices!!! How many of them have you heard of dying from The Big C - Cancer??? I truly believe they already have a cure or near cure and yet they (the Medical Community) makes the cure available for only an "ELITE FEW." Cancer and other major Illnesses are so incredibly profitable and allow an "ELITE GROUP" to live at the expense and possible death of the rest of the population!!! I include doctors, scientists, Pharmacology Research as the lot who are hiding secrets from the World. The SECRET is out there, but do you QUALIFY for it!!!

[horton1983]

Elizabeth Edwards lost all of her credibility when she chose to cover her husbands lying rear. Unfortunately this is now the legacy she will leave.

[barbaraf4]

"Why should adult coverage be mandated? If someone without insurance goes to the hospital, they get billed forever. It''s not like they''re not charged for the services." Posted by SUNSPRO
~~~~~~~~~~~
Close but no cigar. If someone without insurance goes to the hospital, WE the taxpayers get billed forever.

[standlee5]

Riiight. If she runs you will change your tune and bash her. Republicans have a lot of good words for Dems, but only if they''''re not running for office.
Posted by incog-nito at 05:39 PM : Sep 17, 2008

not so. You see how much attention health care is getting in this election. At least I hope Elizabeth can get a public spotlight on the necessity of lowering the costs of health care. The thousands who have gone bankrupt due to medical bills. People who have played by the rules and protected themselves with health insurance are still at high risk of bankruptcy. We''re all just one major medical event away from financial ruin.

[ibzjem]

Vote for Republicans, at least they only believe in Socialism for the wealthy and the well-connected. I''''d rather my tax dollars get used for them than to help people that were stupid enough to be born poor.

Posted by Truthmatterz at 03:43 PM : Sep 17, 2008

Well said. One point people are missing is that not all people have equal opportunities. Do you really think people want to live in poverty because it''s "easier"? This is a vicious cycle and someone needs to help stop it.

If there is no opportunity for a good education, no opportunity for work with reasonable pay, no opportunity for health care, then how does one prosper? This brings, low or no wages, low living standards, decreasing funds for education, high debt, and more poverty. To bring a whole community out of such a situation, to sit back and say "quit being lazy" won''t do it. I think it''s similar to telling people with cancer to "drink more water" for their problem.

[xlib]

truthmaterz-once again,lib, pulling the old class envy ploy. Old, old, old.
Here''s the truth about us horrible conservatives. Listen real, reaL close, ok''
Here it goes-we do not mind caring for those who really need it, ok. What we object to is the number of children born without daddies by women who have multiple children from multiple daddies. Get it??
Now, tell us, how is that good for the children? How is that good for society?? THe family unit has been destroyed by the welfare state.
Now, just what have you done to better society???
Me, I volunteer in a soup kitchen as a Parish Nurse. I have seen first hand what your welfare state has done.
What your side has done is create an entire population of victims who rely on the government for everything.
Now, your comments. And keep them civil, please.

[xlib]

usclimey-may I ask if you are British?? If so, you are aware of the trouble your socialized health care system is in, right? You are aware that many emergency rooms in England are closing, right?
The statement that "life is not a free ride" is quite true. The government can not care for all of our needs. In a verym very true statement "the few cannot provide for the many." Those who want socialism simply are too blind to realize that WE, not the government pays for everything. Get it

[usclimey]

Why should adult coverage be mandated? If someone without insurance goes to the hospital, they get billed forever. It''''s not like they''''re not charged for the services.

Posted by SUNSPRO

I do not understand your statement.

Democrats who are trying to turn us into a Socialist Republic. Life is not a free ride. Go out and work for a change.

Posted by cmp271

You''re the sort of person who truly deserves to have something reall expensive happen to them. If you did, however, you''d just stiff the hospital, thus raising everyone else''s coverage.

Elizabeth Edwards should run for office. She''''s smart, and incredibly classy. Let her overhaul the health care system because she understands it better than anyone. And she''''s right, everyone needs health insurance. It''''ll bring down the price and save the country massive $$$

Posted by standlee5

It is way too unfortunate that her health prevents her from doing just that. Classy lady; crummy (hopefully) ex-husband.

[standlee5]

Elizabeth Edwards should run for office. She''s smart, and incredibly classy. Let her overhaul the health care system because she understands it better than anyone. And she''s right, everyone needs health insurance. It''ll bring down the price and save the country massive $$$