Health care reform: Clinton tries again

17 September 2007 |permalink | email article

There’s clear evidence that health care coverage is a very important issue affecting every American. The average cost of family coverage has risen 76% in the last six years alone. While major presidential candidates in both parties have outlined their plans at expanding coverage and lowering costs, Hillary Clinton weighs in today in Iowa with a fresh approach on the issue.

Her position on change will be watched closely by major constituencies ranging from business to labor, notably because of the lessons of 1993. She often mentions her wounds from her failed overhaul effort that year and her only clear claim to White House experience while Bill Clinton was president.

A weekend story in the Wall Street Journal indicated that she will include a requirement that everyone get health insurance.

Unlike last time she’s proposing to build on the existing system of insuring Americans – a mix of private coverage and government-subsidized care – but not a total remake.

It would create new federal subsidies to aid those who cannot effort the required health coverage – 47 million now as opposed to 39.7 million in 1993 – with new mandates on large employers to help pay for it.

Reportedly her plan is less threatening to the insurance industry, and would suggest she’s more willing to compromise to get a deal.

Predictably, conservatives will brand her government-required plan “HillaryCare,” while Republican candidates will reprise her 1993 tinkering at a time when reform seemed inevitable. Mitt Romney shot first, calling it “socialized medicine.”

President Bush’s flip perception of the issue in mid-July:

“I mean, people have access to health care in America. After all, you just go to an emergency room.”

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