Obama unveils his “universal” health care plan

Barack Obama has become the second candidate to outline a specific health care plan, behind fellow Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards. The Obama plan aims to provide subsidies to Americans who cannot afford insurance on their own, with the subsidy amount dependent on income. While Obama’s plan is to make health care affordable for all Americans, whether or not it is “universal” is still in question. Merely making health care affordable is no guarantee that everyone will buy it, even with a subsidy. In contrast, the Edwards plan makes health insurance a requirement, much like auto insurance is a requirement drivers. At the moment the Obama proposal does not go that far but he has pledged to reevaluate in a year or two and revise the plan if some Americans are still without coverage. According to the article,

Obama’s first promise as a presidential candidate was that he would sign a universal health care plan into law by the end of his firm term in the White House.

-Ben

Edwards, Giuliani report multimillion-dollar incomes for 2006

This article was written by Dan Morain for the Los Angeles Times.

Three top contenders for president — including Romney, the richest — have yet to submit financial disclosure statements. The Obamas made nearly $1 million…Republican presidential candidate Rudolph W. Giuliani earned $16 million last year — including $11.4 million in speaking fees — and Democratic contender John Edwards’ income topped $7 million, the candidates’ financial disclosure statements released Wednesday show.

-Katie

The Cost of Edwards’ Campaign Proposals

This article discusses the variety of programs and proposals John Edwards has put forth in his campaign – including health care, energy and poverty elimination – how much they cost and how he proposes to pay for them.

-Ben

Edwards, Clinton, Obama & Economics

Interesting analysis from overseas on the economic positions of the top three Democratic candidates.

-Ben

Edwards, Combating Poverty Article Responses

A Washington Post article published this morning (and posted here by Blythe) was somewhat critical of John Edwards’ poverty policy. Two bloggers from the Talking Points Memo Cafe site write about the Post article and why they think Edwards is taking the proper stance on poverty in America. Discussion from Jared Bernstein and Greg Anrig, Jr.

-Ben

Edwards: Combating poverty

Remember John Edwards’ speech from the 2004 convention? Where he started chanting “Help is on the way” for poor families? He hasn’t given up on the issue. An article published today in The Washington Post goes into more detail about how Edwards is trying (and perhaps failing) to champion the poor with a proposal that centers on “ending poverty in 30 years.” Article can be found here.

-Blythe

Edwards – Taxes the Rich

This article was found in the LA Times about Edwards’ tax proposal he made in San Diego.

- Matt