Democrats Offer Health Care Plans

By The Associated Press

HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON:

-Has pledged to enact universal coverage as president, but has not yet offered details of a plan.

-Will roll out her plan through a series of speeches focusing on health care costs, quality and coverage.

-To reduce costs, Clinton would emphasize computerized medical record-keeping, end discrimination by insurance companies based on pre-existing conditions, implement “purchasing initiatives” to reduce drug prices, and emphasize prevention of disease rather than cure.

-Says program would reduce national health spending by $120 billion per year.

BARACK OBAMA:

-Would create a public program similar to a health plan offered to federal employees, and a National Health Insurance Exchange for consumers to shop among private plans.

-Employers would have to share the cost of insuring workers.

-Plan does not include “individual mandate” requiring everyone to have coverage. Says focus of the plan is on reducing the cost of coverage so everyone can afford to pay for it. Critics say plan falls short of offering universal coverage.

-Would reduce costs through computerized record-keeping, reimportation of drugs and greater use of generic drugs, and emphasis on prevention of disease rather than cure.

-Estimated cost: $50 billion to $65 billion per year, paid for by letting Bush tax cuts expire on those making more than $250,000 per year.

JOHN EDWARDS:

-Plan includes “individual mandate” requiring all Americans to have coverage.

-Employers would have to share the cost of insuring workers, or pay into a public program.

-Plan would create regional purchasing pools to help consumers bargain for lower priced insurance.

-Would reduce costs by overhauling the patent process for breakthrough drugs and requiring insurance companies to spend 85 percent of premiums on patient care.

-Estimated cost: $90-$120 billion per year, financed by repealing Bush tax cuts on those making more than $200,000 per year.