Children vs. Insurers...Hillary Clinton works to expand health Insurance for all Children...

As first Lady Hillary Clinton initiated the State Children's Health Insurance Program that covered over 6 million children whose families were too wealthy for medicaid but too poor to afford private insurance...

At the time of its passage it was the largest expansion of health care coverage for children since medicaid itself was passed in the 1960's

Now, she wants it expanded...and how to pay for it? By shifting government subsidies from insurance companies...

From Paul Krugman...



http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2007/04/paul_krugman_ch.html

and a very good idea.

been noted re all our progressive goals - partial success still trumps no success. And I know how hard she fought for single payer in 93 as I was plugged into the insurance lobbying effort that got Bill, before there ever was a task force, to make the decision that the task force could not look at single payer. Indeed it is mentioned in their books.

It is a given that the Insurance lobby, without Federally financed elections, will always be very powerful, and perhaps that means an Edwards back door approach is the best we can do - but if so, I want Hillary to have a similar plan to the Edwards "insurance" option where - - for some group - - in some circumstances - - as a choice of responses to being without insurance - - or to needing to renew prior coverage and getting "previous condition" exemption requirements - - or being taken care of by a minimal state plan - -or because the employer drops below a given level of employee subsidy for health insurance - -that would be a "Medicare for all" option that did not involve insurance companies.

Edward's idea to give people what Congress gets option is still an insurance company rip off.

I still need her to either sign on to at least "an eventual" single payer national health goal, or to do a "hidden" minor role for Medicare in a universal coverage approach like Edwards - since that role can be expanded later.

I like Hillary - and I think America is ready to elect the smart kid in class rather than the GOPer de jure image carrier. But I want more detail on issues.

They work hard for us and they do get things done.

campaigning ability - but large venue is new to all the candidates, including Hillary.

In Iowa and NH she will be better served by grade school cafeteria size discussions.

We been talking about doing that since 1948. Isn't it about time to finally provide all Americans with health insurance? It is time for major change and leadership, not more half measures.

John Edwards success as a Senator in getting insurance to the uninsured...

We know what triangulating on health care will lead to: more half measures while millions suffer without health care due to the slavish adherence to a poll-driven policy that will split the difference between progressive calls for universal health care and the conservative desire to prevent any real action on health care with cosmetic half measures.

You can read John Edwards' plan (yes, some candidates offer plans and ideas) for universal health care at http://johnedwards.com/about/issues/health-care-overview.pdf

John Edward's success at getting people insured while he was in the Senate...

Anyone can have a plan...Hillary has actually made progress...

she's just declining to give a detailed plan at the moment. Right now, she's pushing getting healthcare for all children.

She could say what Obama said and simply say she will unveil a plan for universal health care in the coming months. She hasn't. Triangulation means another incremental step, not national health care.

I think she's probably for incremental implementation, though, because she knows better than anyone the dangers of trying to push it all through at once. I hope we do get a plan from her in the coming months, though. She's held a few healthcare-oriented events already (such as the GMA townhall). I think she's trying to go out and talk to the people about the plan they want to see.

This backs up what I have been saying about the vagueness of her rhetoric and her lack of substance. Even a big supporter of her is unsure of what she intends to do on probably the most important domestic issue facing us. Perhaps you are right. Or, perhaps she does favor universial health care. Or maybe she favors something that will split the difference between conservative Republicans and progressive Democrats on the issue. Who knows? Let's hope that she comes up with some agenda on the issue this year. It would be a crime if a candidate won the nomination without any plan for health care other than a Nixoeqsue "trust me, I'll tell you what I will do after you turn the keys over to me for four years" strategy.

If she were to not offer a plan, do you think she'd get a free pass from the other candidates and the TV pundits?

If she doesn't have at least a sketch of a plan by the first primary, it would become an issue of such a magnitude to destroy her candidacy.

Perhaps she does not favor universal health care. Who knows. Let's see what happens after she is forced to offer some policy ideas after the debates begin. All that we know right now is that she has been running for president for years yet has no plan for universal health care. I don't believe voting should be a faith-based initiative. Candidates should state what they intend to do--AND how they intend to do it.

I'm guessing her plan will probably look like Edwards - not single-payer, but rather a grab bag of policies which will plug the holes in the current system. (Obama will probably do the same.)

As you say, when the debates begin, she'll be forced to offer some sort of plan. If she doesn't she'll be crucified. That's how I know she'll have a plan.

As far as the record goes, just a few days ago HRC said she was not sure whether she would offer a plan for universal health care. Perhaps she has another "secret plan" to deal with health care like she does with Iraq that she will share with us only after we turn the keys over to her for four years. Or maybe she no longer supports universal health care.

Did Edwards get insured through some initiative he created while he was in the Senate?

The initial passge was not hers - it was Kennedy/Hatch and it was first Kennedy/Kerry.

The expansion that Hillary is sponsoring is essentially Kids' First. Expanding S-Chip was the basis of Kids' first. I hope that now that we have a Democratic Senate that Hillary can get it passed.

It was Kennedy, Kerry and Hatch.
SCHIP passed in 1997 as part of the Balanced Budget Act.
Since it was 1997, Hillary was not even in the Senate.

here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3217653#3217888

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3217653#3218781

See below...

Kennedy and Hatch shepherded it through Congress...but Hillary initiated it as first lady...

Hillary's autobiography. (The medical one does not say anything about Hillary and the 1997 bill.) Hillary's website says she helped in creating it - which is toned down from the executive sounding initiated.

In Hillary's autobiography does speak of helping Kennedy behind the scenes - but with no detail. It is easy to see where Kennedy's and Kerry's expertise work well together. Kennedy has done more on healthcare than anyone. Kerry is on the Finance committee.

What would the word "initiate" mean? Hillary excluded people like Kennedy when she and Magaziner developed her health plan. I seriously doubt that Hillary called Kennedy and Kerry in and gave them the legislation or the concept of how to do it.

Kennedy had worked on health issues since before Hillary got out of college. The approach that Kerry and Kennedy took was different than Hillary's 1993 effort, but in line with Kennedy's work.

Hillary may have spoken to some Senators lobbying for the bill - but I find it hard to believe that Hillary who was not in the Senate and had no role there could get the necessary Senators to vote for it when Kennedy, a long term Senator couldn't.

In her book, she uses S-CHIP as the way to show that after the failure of the health plan they did more modest things. It was something Bill Clinton signed into law and it is very possible that Hillary had something to do with it - but I suspect there's a bit of resume padding in using the word "initiate".

The public seems to be pretty consistenty polling on wanting some form of National Health Insurance, are they not? So why isn't HC speaking up for it? Or have I missed it? Will be happy to know if so.

Triangulation calls for incremental steps that split the difference between progressive proposals and conservative ideas. This is likely why you will not see HRC present a plan for universal health care, although she may claim she has a "secret plan" to deal with the problem, just like she has a "secret plan" to end the Iraq war after we turn over the keys to her for four years.

It is immoral and runs against fundamental Democratic values to allow millions to go without health care in the world's most affluent country. We should fight for the entire 47 million, regardless of their age.

Polling shows broad support for universal health insurance but when it comes to supporting an actual plan then support will drop. This is what happened during the Hillary Clinton health care debacle in 1993. The public supported the notion of universal health insurance but once the issue went from being an abstract one to accepting an actual plan the details of the plan caused support for it to drop. HRC knows this very well. Even if she truly does want universal health care don't expect her to offer an actual plan for these reasons. HRC is trying to be as vague and generic as possible so she can lurch to the right if she wins the nomination.

We will need real leadership to achieve universal health insurance.

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

It will be interesting to see if Hillary supports this bill when and if it hits the Senate. Somehow I doubt it.

Rather than dealing with just children, why doesn't Hillary come up with a plan to help everybody?

their parents died for lack of health care. Universal, single payer, health CARE for all!

As to what bills Dennis Kucinich has gotten passed that insured anybody...

And please describe in detail, your (or DK's) strategy for getting Single payer UHC through congress...

What Republicans will he be targeting to change their minds on this concept?

I firmly believe that candidates for president should tell voters what they intend to do if elected--and how they intend to do it. You can download the Edwards plan for universal health care or read a summary of it at http://johnedwards.com/about/issues/health-care/

I couldn't agree with you more about the need for universal health care. Health care is a human rights issue. The time has come for bold leadership, not poll-tested baby steps that split the difference between the Bushs and Gingrichs of the world and people like Kucinich, Edwards, and Kennedy on the other side. I've had enough of Joe Lieberman-style DLC politics.

It was Senator Kennedy's legislation that he sponsored with Hatch. It was based on an earlier bill that was written jointly by Senators Kennedy and Kerry. When a Republican sponsor was found, Kerry's name was dropped. (Kennedy spoke extensively about this in 2004.)

This passed during the Clinton years - but the credit is to Kennedy and Kerry. The First Lady did not initiate this.

http://www.electiongeek.com/elections/2008/president/Clinton_Hillary.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_Clinton

http://www.senate.gov/~clinton/news/statements/details.cfm?id=267766

http://www.acopeds.org/thepulse_112002.htm

There were many more

She does speak of helping Kennedy behind the scenes - but with no detail. This comment in her book or her website's comment may be the source for the other claims.

What would the word "initiate" mean? Hillary excluded people like Kennedy when she and Magaziner developed her health plan. I seriously doubt that Hillary called Kennedy and Kerry in and gave them the legislation.

Kennedy had worked on health issues since before Hillary got out of college. The approach that Kerry and Kennedy took was different than Hillary's 1993 effort, but in line with Kennedy's work.

Hillary may have spoken to some Senators lobbying for the bill - but I find it hard to believe that Hillary who was not in the Senate and had no role there could get the necessary Senators to vote for it when Kennedy, a long term Senator couldn't.

In her book, she uses S-CHIP as the way to show that after the failure of the health plan they did more modest things. It was something Bill Clinton signed into law and it is very possible that Hillary had something to do with it - but I suspect there's a bit of resume padding in using the word "initiate".

Children can't take care of themselves, can't work to earn money to afford healthcare. Why would anyone try to deny the right of every child to have adequate healthcare despite their parents insurance status. Children are the future adults, if they make it.