Democrats Offer Health Care Plans

June 24, 2007

By The Associated Press

Jun. 25, 2007 (AP Online delivered by Newstex) -- 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.

Newstex ID: AP-0001-17694338