Clinton Unveils Edwar... her health care proposals.

[illinoisprogressive]

WASHINGTON — Senator Clinton is launching the health care platform of her presidential campaign, and the campaign of one of her Democratic rivals, John Edwards, says her proposals have a "familiar ring" to them — Mr. Edwards offered them first.

Mrs. Clinton yesterday announced a seven-point plan to reduce health care costs, in the first of what she says will be a multi-pronged approach to achieving universal coverage for all Americans. Her proposals, offered in a 40-minute policy address at George Washington University, represent an amalgamation of ideas that she and other Democrats have touted over the years.

They include: a nationwide initiative to focus on preventive care; the implementation of "paperless" electronic medical records; reducing the cost of prescription drugs by boosting generics, and pursuing "common sense" medical malpractice reforms.

Mrs. Clinton said her proposals signal an effort to rein in the spiraling cost of health care, which estimates have put at $2 trillion a year. Quoting a "conservative" estimate, she said the seven measures, in total, could save $120 billion annually in national health spending, which would then be reinvested to implement universal health coverage for the 45 million people now uninsured.

"Our health care system is plagued with under-use, overuse and misuse. It is, simply put, broken," Mrs. Clinton told an auditorium filled with students and professors from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. "As president, I will make it my mission to fix it, starting by helping the 250 million people with public or private insurance who face skyrocketing costs, inadequate care, and bureaucratic obstacles to coverage."

http://www.nysun.com/article/55196?page_no=1

[Mind_your_head]

1. Tell me where a corporation is going to profit in this plan

and then I will tell you whether I believe it will be successful/believable or not.

[Greyhound]

22. Here the first and biggest giveaway that the Republiks have been pushing for

years, "'common sense' medical malpractice reforms".

"Institute a New "Paperless" Health Information Technology System" - Double dip, new contracts for Tata, one of her biggest contributers, plus an excuse to raise premiums to "comply with new government regulation".

These two alone should net her another $100,000 - $300,000.

[sandnsea]

2. When Kerry introduced them in 2003

Maybe that's where Edwards heard them from first. These are all his health plan, in addition to all Americans buying into the federal health plan and a whole lot more.

[calteacherguy]

3. So are we going to chose our nominee based on who "unveiled" what first?

If so, we ought just to have a typing competition to see who can type the fastest. The proposals...and they are only proposals, subject to whatever the Congress in 09 does or does not do, are only proposals, and they are likely to be similar.

It's a crazy way to select a the one best qualified to be leader of the free world if you ask me.

[IndianaGreen]

7. There is such a thing as plagiarism. Hillary should have given credit to Edwards for the proposals

instead of presenting them as her own.

[calteacherguy]

8. I don't know, none of these ideas are not copyrighted. I suspect they've been around awhile.

Whenever any candidate "unveils" their proposal they of course want you to believe they are original ideas, but there have been so many health care ideas it's hard to believe there are any original ones left.

There's no shortage of ideas. It's getting a Congress with the political will that is the challenge, and an electorate that puts enough pressure on them to get something done. That and a Democratic President who won't veto what Congress passes.

[doggyboy]

13. Those ideas aren't Edwards either

Anyone who thinks that any politician came up with those ideas are a bit too emotionally invested in that politician.

The ideas were originally devised by policy wonks.

[Clark2008]

20. Well, that and the fact that Hillary did it first when her hubby was president.

It was still pretty much the same thing in that it involved the insurance companies and no single-payer.

[doggyboy]

21. And they were borrowed ideas the first time around

The health care reform proposals of Bill Clinton were not created by Bill Clinton. He consulted experts, incluing his wife.

The last thing I want to see is to have the dem candidates locked away in some room somewhere, trying to come up with their own unique ideas on reforming the health care system, or most any other issue. They need to be out there campaigning.

Borrowing policies is not only something they all do, it's something they all SHOULD do.

[Auntie Bush]

29. Agreed! We shouldn't have to invent the wheel over and over again.

We just need a good plan that is efficient, effective, trustworthy, fair and affordable. I don't give a damn who's idea it was. I just want enough Dems in congress to over ride a veto and a Dem President. Any one of our guys will do...of course some are better than others.

[fooj]

10. Honor. Integrity.

Those are qualities that the leader of the free world should possess.

[doggyboy]

15. There's neither honor nor integrity

in the way some are claiming that these are Edward's ideas.

[fooj]

18. Really? I thought you said it doesn't matter who uses what to win.

[doggyboy]

19. Yes, they can and should borrow freely from the wonks

but they shouldn't claim possession of those ideas. Clinton did not steal any idea from Edwards. They both borrowed, with permission, the ideas of others.

And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

But I see people claiming that Clinton stole Edwards ideas. There is something wrong with that. Specifically, they are not Edwards' ideas.

[fooj]

26. How do you know they borrowed "with" permission?

But I see people claiming that Clinton stole Edwards ideas. There is something wrong with that. Specifically, they are not Edwards' ideas.

How is something wrong with that? When did they specifically become Hillary's ideas? She's passing them off as her "plan", correct? I see what's going on here. It's ok for Hillary to claim possession...it's just not ok for anyone else, eh? Perhaps Edwards should grab a few ideas from her, as well. Then we'll see who screams the loudest. That's all I'm saying. Are you claiming that their platforms are "free game"? Just wonderin'...
If that was the case then they could run off of each other and nobody could distinguish the difference. It doeesn't even make any sense. People vote for candidates because of their positions on the issues. If someone else's position is "free game" then how do they have individual platforms to stand on?

[doggyboy]

28. I can't believe you need this explained to you

Yes, it's wrong to say that the ideas are Edwards because the ideas are NOT Edwards. I can't believe you need this explained to you

Someone else came up with those ideas, and Edwards (and Clinton, and Obama, and Kucinich, etc) merely borrowed the ideas.

"When did they specifically become Hillary's ideas? "

They didn't I specifically and CLEARLY said they ALL BORROW IDEAS. I can't believe you need this explained to you

"She's passing them off as her "plan", correct? I see what's going on here. It's ok for Hillary to claim possession...it's just not ok for anyone else, eh? Perhaps Edwards should grab a few ideas from her, as well. Then we'll see who screams the loudest. That's all I'm saying"

Everything you're saying here sounds delusional. No one has said that Clinton came up with these plans. Clinton hasn't said that, and neither has any poster in this thread. I don't know where you got the idea that Hillary has taken credit for these ideas or why you would ask about that of me when I clearly said THEY ALL BORROWED THEIR POLICIES. Just tell me which word you didn't understand, and I'll explain it to you

"If that was the case then they could run off of each other and nobody could distinguish the difference. It doeesn't even make any sense. People vote for candidates because of their positions on the issues"

Well, they could run on identical platforms, but that would be a pretty stupid way to try and win an election, don't you think? Maybe that's why it's never happened.

"If someone else's position is "free game" then how do they have individual platforms to stand on?"

They exercise their judgement (or lack thereof) and make choices based on their principles, values, beliefs, experiences, etc....I can't believe you need this explained to you

"Are you claiming that their platforms are "free game"? Just wonderin'..."

Sure. Why not? Candidates are allowed to agree with their competitors on any issue they choose to agree on. Is there something wrong with that?

[fooj]

30. Welcome to DU.

Enjoy your stay.

Hey, thanks for calling me delusional. It's been a pleasure. :P

Honestly, I don't give a shit who takes what from who. It's just nice to weed out the willing participants.

[doggyboy]

31. Thanks for the welcome

And I'll try to say this simply and clearly

No one "took" anything from anyone. All politicians use the ideas of other people and there is nothing wrong with that.

[bluestateguy]

4. There's that word "unveil" again. Why does the media love the word "unveil" so much?

And as usual, the MSM will kick this policy initiative around for a day or two and then go back to yapping about John Edwards haircut, the polls and internal campaign memos.

[Mind_your_head]

6. Because their dark evil long term plans are a SECRET

and they only 'roll out their SECRETS' as they see fit. Now if you wanna become one of the 'secret understander'ers'.....you've gotta keep this secret/behind the veil stuff all *hush-hush*, cause you're in the 'know'/secret society' now....'k'? ya got that?

[illinoisprogressive]

5. Unveil? beats me. I suppose they think it sounds smart

[IndianaGreen]

9. This is a faux proposal by Hillary, only meant for the consumption of her gullible followers

Hillary has been in the US Senate for over 6 years. Why didn't she introduce legislation before, instead of waiting until now?

[William769]

11. If this is all you have, I pity your campaign strategies.

Hillary Clinton has been on this issue since before she was first lady.

[Adelante]

12. Don't buy into this, IP

Any glance at 2003 candidate health care platforms will show the Edwards campaign is blowing smoke on this one.

[Vinca]

14. Another tap dancing candidate.

I'll support the candidate who says "universal health care" without the song and dance. I am not for the candidate who is considering the fate of the insurance companies in their planning. Blah, blah, blah, electronic records. Blah, blah, blah generic drugs. Blah, blah, blah. Blah, blah, blah. How about we ixney the insurance companies, put everyone on a federal health care system and raise taxes to pay for it? My taxes would have to go up $17,000 a year to equal the cost of insurance premiums and deductibles. Somehow, I don't think that would happen.

[Cameron27]

16. The only candidate who has

an original plan is Kucinich, who actually was the first one to "unveil" it.

I think it's a petty statement by the Edwards camp.

[Cameron27]

17. Be careful applauding this IP,

it's only a matter of time before Edwards goes negative on Obama. On the issues, he's been the first to resort to this, and Dodd's already hit back. He should keep in mind that while he has a second voice with Elizabeth, Hillary has one herself...Bill. This could get interesting.

[LWolf]

23. LOL How interesting.

I believe that a rival to both of them unveiled a plan far in advance of either one. I wonder if Edwards recalls this plan:

<snip>

Dennis Kucinich is the only Presidential Candidate with a plan for a Universal Single Payer, NOT FOR PROFIT Healthcare system.

MEDICARE FOR ALL

The plan in embodied in HR 676 the Conyers-Kucinich bill, written by Dennis Kucinich & John Conyers

The plan covers all healthcare needs, including dental care, mental health care, vision care, prescription drugs, and long-term care - at NO extra cost!

Kucinich's plan, HR 676, is supported by 78 Members of Congress, 250 Union Locals, and 14,000 physicians and is endorsed by the New Hampshire Democratic Party.

More:

http://kucinich.us/issues/universalhealth.php

[Cameron27]

27. Yes, HR 676 !

[benny05]

24. Oh Jeepers more parrots

Edwards' proposal is based on the Dutch and German models for starters. Hillary, as usual, waits on her consultants and polls before proposing anything or figuring out how to vote. I bet Obama's will look similar as he's not exactly Mr. Originality either.

Single payer will not fly in 2009, when Edwards will ask Congress to consider his proposal if he wins the race and is in the White House. What this article does not say is when Sen Clinton intends to do this. I know the answer as it came out at the Health Care Forum in April: her second term.

Sorry, but we cannot wait that long. The American people consider this their number one domestic priority.

[Czolgosz]

25. Actually, Hillary's plan differs from Edwards's in a few way. For example, Hillary wants to exempt

some hospitals from financial responsibility for carelessly killing or injuring people. Edwards plan doesn't.