NYT: Obama Borrows Page From Clinton

[highplainsdem]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/14/us/politics/14obama.html

By JEFF ZELENY
Published: July 14, 2008

SAN DIEGO — Senator Barack Obama on Sunday proposed offering tax breaks to small businesses as an incentive to provide health care to their employees, borrowing an idea from a former rival in the Democratic presidential race.

“I’m announcing my plan to provide real relief for small business owners crushed by rising costs, an idea championed by my friend Hillary Clinton, who’s been leading the way in our battle to insure every American,” Mr. Obama told the National Council of La Raza, a Latino group, at their annual conference here.

At the mention of Mrs. Clinton’s name, the audience of several thousand people cheered.

The plan, which would cost $6 billion a year, would provide small businesses a refundable credit of up to 50 percent on premiums for employees.

[gateley]

1. It's encouraging to know that he is open to implementing what will

help in bring health insurance to us all. I feel that will be indicitave of how he runs his presidency - LISTENING to others.

It's a great idea -- thanks to Hillary for promoting it!

[WhiteTara]

8. I'm glad that he gave her credit

that was gracious, too.

[gateley]

12. She deserved the credit - and I'm glad he acknowledged that, too.

A lot of politicians wouldn't have,.

[grantcart]

2. k and r

[emilyg]

3. k/r

[musicblind]

4. WONDERFUL NEWS!

It was a great idea when Hillary had it, and it is a great idea now that Obama has it. Hopefully this shows that Obama is serious about setting a new tone for health care in America!

[Alter Ego]

11. I'm glad he gave her credit for it.

It gives credence to his claim that he will listen to others--something that we haven't had in a long time.

[moriah]

5. I'm thrilled that he's incorporating Hillary's ideas about healthcare.

I'm sure she is too.

[JoFerret]

9. Now on to Edwards and Kucinich and we

might be getting somewhere.
But hillary is an encouraging start.

This is such a damned important issue.

[writes3000]

6. Cool! I love seeing them work together. Was there any other coverage of this today? n/t

[John Q. Citizen]

7. How will the employees pay for insurance if they are laid off due to recession?

And what's to stop insurance companies from raising the price of insurance to help their bottom line?

[Divernan]

10. We need a national healthcare plan, and to cut out the Big Insurance middlemen.

Clinton didn't want to buck Big Insurance. I'm not impressed that Obama is going along with this token bandaid to the problem of uninsured Americans. And since this is "voluntary", there is no guarantee that small businesses will opt for it. There is no reason other than privatized greed to use health care for private profit. Give tuition assistance to medical students so they are not burdened with huge debts and get rid of all the health insurance paperwork/second-guessing of medical care givers.

[DevonRex]

16. Personally, I'd like a single payer system to take care of that.

And this is one thing that the Colorado Democratic Party voted into its platform. I'm hoping it can become part of the DNC platform. Hell, with all the job losses we're going to need to do something fast. Fast is not something our government was ever designed for, unfortunately.

[polmaven]

18. Since it is a "mental recession"

maybe the insurance companies will accept a "mental payment"?

[Beacool]

13. On CNN last night they said that both McCain & Obama were well received,

but that the person who got the loudest cheer was not even in the room: Hillary.

I'm glad that Obama gave her credit for her proposal.

[bunnies]

14. Mr. Bunnies work offered health care plan has a $5000.00 deductible.

$5000.00! WTF good is that?! Something needs to be done about that issue. He took the job just to get insurance and it turns out, we wont get to use it anyway. Its a great big fucking joke. :nuke:

[DevonRex]

15. Good news. And great for him to give credit where credit is due. nt

[Cha]

17. Yeah, I love it when credit is given

..unlike the m$$m not giving credit to "Obama's plan for Afghanistan instead of fawning over mccain" for it?

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