Sharpened Edwards ahead in Iowa (new outlook is winning support)

[JohnLocke]

Sharpened Edwards ahead in Iowa
The former Democratic vice presidential nominee's new outlook is winning support in the key state.
By Mark Z. Barabak--Los Angeles Times
Sunday, March 18, 2007
----
OTTUMWA, IOWA — The toothy grin is still there, the pile of brown hair, the talk of rich and poor, and that molasses drawl that splits words like brain — bray-un — in two.

But this John Edwards is more seasoned and substantive than the one who placed second in the 2004 Democratic presidential race, and less sunny.
(...)
He won't say whether he considers President Bush, at the least, a decent man. "I don't think he's been honest with the country about where we are now in Iraq," Edwards said in a recent interview as he skimmed across the Iowa countryside.

Asked whether others running for president were decent people, he replied, "I'm just not going to get into evaluating everybody. I think that's what voters should do."

He may be running third behind Clinton and Obama nationally, but that's better than four years ago, when Edwards was a speck in polls and "10 people at a Best Western" was a good turnout, as Ed Turlington, a veteran of that effort, recalled.

Surveys show Edwards ahead in Iowa, which holds the first vote and is a crucial momentum-builder for the rapid series of contests that follow.

"Last time, the question the campaign had to answer was: 'John who?' " said Turlington, a longtime Edwards advisor. "This time there's not only high name recognition, but a base of credibility built up from before."


More at link:


----
Read the rest here.

===================================
EDIT: COPYRIGHT. PLEASE POST ONLY
4 OR 5 PARAGRAPHS FROM THE COPYRIGHTED
NEWS SOURCE PER DU RULES.

[saltpoint]

1. There's a bedrock decency to the guy that resonates in voters' bones and

blood.

I think Edwards is poised for an impressive showing in the Iowa caucus in 9 months.

[DemDogs]

28. Decent, compassionate, powerfully articulate, and filled with ideas

He is definitely my guy.

[papau]

2. Edwards has a universal Medicare (via a backdoor in his complicated proposal) and will have my

vote if he remains the only universal Medicare person out there. I wish he would drop all the other crap in his proposal and just go with a simple universal Medicare proposal - but you take what you can get.

[depakid]

4. Edwards' health care plan is a joke

It's NOT universal healthcare at all- it's universal insurance and would turn out to be huge boondoggle.

This article tells you a little about it:

http://www.commondreams.org/views07/0306-31.htm

[papau]

19. The Physicians for a National Health Program are a great resource for single payer

The Physicians for a National Health Program National Health Plan http://www.pnhp.org/ is the only plan Democrats should accept from the primary candidate we vote for.

http://www.pnhp.org/facts/single_payer_resources.php

Single-Payer National Health Insurance

Single-payer national health insurance is a system in which a single public or quasi-public agency organizes health financing, but delivery of care remains largely private.

Currently, the U.S. health care system is outrageously expensive, yet inadequate. Despite spending more than twice as much as the rest of the industrialized nations ($7,129 per capita), the United States performs poorly in comparison on major health indicators such as life expectancy, infant mortality and immunization rates. Moreover, the other advanced nations provide comprehensive coverage to their entire populations, while the U.S. leaves 46 million completely uninsured and millions more inadequately covered.

The reason we spend more and get less than the rest of the world is because we have a patchwork system of for-profit payers. Private insurers necessarily waste health dollars on things that have nothing to do with care: overhead, underwriting, billing, sales and marketing departments as well as huge profits and exorbitant executive pay. Doctors and hospitals must maintain costly administrative staffs to deal with the bureaucracy. Combined, this needless administration consumes one-third (31 percent) of Americans’ health dollars.

Single-payer financing is the only way to recapture this wasted money. The potential savings on paperwork, more than $350 billion per year, are enough to provide comprehensive coverage to everyone without paying any more than we already do.

Under a single-payer system, all Americans would be covered for all medically necessary services, including: doctor, hospital, long-term care, mental health, dental vision, prescription drug and medical supply costs. Patients would regain free choice of doctor and hospital, and doctors would regain autonomy over patient care.

Physicians would be paid fee-for-service according to a negotiated formulary or receive salary from a hospital or nonprofit HMO / group practice. Hospitals would receive a global budget for operating expenses. Health facilities and expensive equipment purchases would be managed by regional health planning boards.

A single-payer system would be financed by eliminating private insurers and recapturing their administrative waste. Modest new taxes would replace premiums and out-of-pocket payments currently paid by individuals and business. Costs would be controlled though negotiated fees, global budgeting and bulk purchasing.

The links below will lead you to more specific information on the details of single-payer:
Single-Payer Overviews

The Physicians Proposal for National Health Insurance

“Proposal of the Physicians’’ Working Group for Single-Payer National Health Insurance,” JAMA 290(6): Aug 30, 2003 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/physicians_proposal_intro.php

Key Features of Single-Payer
A useful handout detailing the main features of single-payer. http://www.pnhp.org/facts/key_features_of_singlepayer.php

Statement of Dr. Marcia Angell introducing the U.S. National Health Insurance Act
A great overview of the need for and logic of a single-payer system. Perfect as an introductory handout. http://www.pnhp.org/facts/dr_marcia_angell.php

Liberal Benefits, Conservative Spending
Another great introductory handout. http://www.pnhp.org/PDF_files/LiberalBenefitsConservativeSpending.pdf

Public Citizen's Response to the Citizens' Health Care Working Groups Interim Recommendations
A great overview on the benefits of a single-payer system by Public Citizen. http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/public_citizens_response_to_chcwg_interim_recommendations.php

Rep. Dennis Kucinich Tackles Health Care
Rep. Kucinich talks with Truthdig about the health care crisis in America. http://www.pnhp.org/news/2006/november/rep_dennis_kucinich.php

Single Payer: Facts and Myths

Single Payer FAQ
A frequently-updated catalog of the most-asked questions about single-payer. http://www.pnhp.org/facts/singlepayer_faq.php

Myths as Barriers to Health Care Reform
A paper refuting many of the myths associated with single-payer. http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/myths_as_barriers.php

“Mythbusters” by the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation
A series of brief papers debunking the common misconceptions about the Canadian health system. http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/mythbusters_by_the_canadian_health_services_research_foundation.php

“Moral Hazard:” The Myth of the Need for Rationing
http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/moral_hazard_the_myth_of_the_need_for_rationing.php

Rasell, E “Cost Sharing in Health Insurance – A Reexamination,” New Eng J Med., 332(7) 1995

Roos, et al “Does Comprehensive Insurance Encourage Unnecessary Use?” Can. Med. Assoc. J 170(2) Jan. 20, 2004

Gladwell, M. “The Moral Hazard Myth,” New Yorker Aug. 29, 2005
Health Economics and Financing

Introduction: How Much Would a Single-Payer System Cost? A review of government and independent studies of the cost of single-payer system. http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/introduction_how_much_would_a_singlepayer_system_cost.php


Administrative Waste Consumes 31 Percent of Health Spending - Woolhandler, et al “Costs of Health Administration in the U.S. and Canada,” NEJM 349(8) Sept. 21, 2003 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/administrative_waste_consumes_31_percent_of_health_spending.php

Administrative Costs in U.S. Hospitals are More Than Double Canada’s
Woolhandler, et al “Administrative Costs in U.S. Hosptials,” NEJM 329, Aug. 5, 1993 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/administrative_costs_in_us_hospitals_are_more_than_double_canadas.php

60 Percent of Health Spending is Already Publicly Financed, Enough to Cover Everyone =Woolhandler, et al. “Paying for National Health Insurance – And Not Getting It,” Health Affairs 21(4); July / Aug. 2002 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/60_percent_of_health_spending_is_already_publicly_financed_enough_to_cover_everyone.php

A Proposal for Financing National Health Insurance
Rasell, Edith “An Equitable Way to Pay for Universal Coverage,” International Journal of Health Services. 29(1); 1999 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/a_proposal_for_financing_national_health_insurance.php

"Liberal Benefits, Conservative Spending"
Grumbach, et al. JAMA, May 15, 1991, Vol. 265 No. 19 http://www.pnhp.org/publications/liberal_benefits_conservative_spending.php

The Case Against For-Profit Care

Overview: The High Costs of For-Profit Care

Editorial by David Himmelstein, MD and Steffie Woolhandler, MD in the Canadian Medical Association Journal -For-Profit Hospitals Cost More and Have Higher Death Rates http://www.pnhp.org/PDF_files/ForProfitCare.pdf

Devereaux, PJ “Payments at For-Profit and Non-Profit Hospitals,” Can. Med. Assoc. J., Jun 2004; 170 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/forprofit_hospitals_cost_more_and_have_higher_death_rates.php

Devereaux, PJ “Mortality Rates of For-Profit and Non-Profit Hospitals,” Can. Med. Assoc. J, May 2002; 166

For-Profit Hospitals Cost More and Have Higher Administration Expenses

Himmelstein, et al “Costs of Care and Admin. At For-Profit and Other Hospitals in the U.S.” NEJM 336, 1997 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/forprofit_hospitals_cost_more_and_have_higher_administration_expenses.php

For-Profit HMOs Provide Worse Quality Care -
Himmelstein, et al “Quality of Care at Investor-Owned vs. Not-for-Profit HMOs” JAMA 282(2); July 14, 1999 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/forprofit_hmos_provide_worse_quality_care.php

For-Profit Medicare Plans Cost 11 Percent More Than Traditional Medicare
MedPac Report, Jun 9, 2006 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/forprofit_medicare_plans_cost_11_percent_more_than_traditional_medicare.php

Quality and Malpractice

Introduction: Medical Malpractice, Health Care Quality and Health Care Reform (pdf)
A Forum Report by Gordon Schiff, MD http://www.pnhp.org/reader/Section%205%20-%20Quality%20and%20Malpractice%20Issues/Gordy%20Malpractice%20Primer.pdf

How Single-Payer Improves Health Care Quality (pdf)
A brief by PNHP (makes a great handout!) http://www.pnhp.org/facts/quality.pdf

A Better Quality Alternative: Single-Payer National Health Insurance -Schiff, et al
http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/a_better_quality_alternative_singlepayer_national_health_insurance.php


“A Better Quality Alternative” JAMA, 272(10); Sept. 12 1994 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/a_better_quality_alternative_singlepayer_national_health_insurance.php


Comprehensive Quality Improvement Requires Comprehensive Reform (pdf) -Schiff, et al “You Can’t Leap a Chasm in Two Jumps,” Public Health Reports 116, Sept / Oct 2001 http://www.pnhp.org/reader/Section%205%20-%20Quality%20and%20Malpractice%20Issues/IOM%20Chasm%20Paper.pdf

The Failures of Other Reform Options

Individual Mandates (The Massachusetts Plan) http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/individual_mandates_the_massachusetts_plan.php

Consumer Directed Health Care and Health Savings Accounts http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/consumer_directed_health_care_and_health_savings_accounts.php

Tax Credits for Private Insurance http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/tax_credits_for_private_insurance.php

Why HSAs Won't Cure What Ails U.S. Health Care http://www.cmwf.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=405167&#doc405167

Critique of Sen. Wyden's (OR) "Healthy Americans Act" http://www.pnhp.org/news/2006/december/lewin_group_analysis.php

Comparison between Schwarzenegger Health Plan and Single Payer for California http://www.pnhp.org/news/2007/january/comparison_between_s.php

State Single-Payer Bills

Arizona
http://www.pnhp.org/PDF_files/AZSinglePayerBill.pdf

Colorado
http://www.pnhp.org/PDF_files/ColoradoSinglePayerBill.pdf

International Health Systems

I. Canada
The Canadian Health System: Lessons for the United States
US General Accounting Office Report, June 1991 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/the_canadian_health_system_lessons_for_the_united_states.php

A Survey of the Canadian Health System - Armstrong, et al “A Perfect System?” excerpted from Universal Health Care, New York Press, 1998
http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/a_survey_of_the_canadian_health_system.php



A Survey of Studies Comparing the U.S. and Canada (pdf)
PNHP Brief, May 2006 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/CAN_Comparison_Sheet.pdf

The Future of Health Care in Canada (pdf)
Report of the Romanow Commission http://www.pnhp.org/reader/Section%206%20-%20Canadian%20Health%20System/Message%20to%20Canadians.pdf


II. International Comparisons
The U.S. spends more for less because of its fragmented financing system - Anderson, G. et al, "It’s the Prices, Stupid: Why the United States is so Different from Other Countries," Health Affairs 22(3), May/June 2004-http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/the_us_spends_more_for_less_because_of_its_fragmented_financing_system.php



U.S. Care Quality is No Better Than Other Countries -Hussey, P. et al "How Does the Quality of Care Compare in Five Countries?" Health Affairs 23(3) May/June 2004 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/us_care_quality_is_no_better_than_other_countries.php

Single-Payer Bibliography

A bibliography of single-payer studies and papers http://www.pnhp.org/reader/

[papau]

22. The Physicians for a National Health Plan is the only one we should accept from our candidate

The Physicians for a National Health Program National Health Plan http://www.pnhp.org/ is the only plan Democrats should accept from the primary candidate we vote for.

http://www.pnhp.org/facts/single_payer_resources.php


Single-Payer National Health Insurance

Single-payer national health insurance is a system in which a single public or quasi-public agency organizes health financing, but delivery of care remains largely private.

Currently, the U.S. health care system is outrageously expensive, yet inadequate. Despite spending more than twice as much as the rest of the industrialized nations ($7,129 per capita), the United States performs poorly in comparison on major health indicators such as life expectancy, infant mortality and immunization rates. Moreover, the other advanced nations provide comprehensive coverage to their entire populations, while the U.S. leaves 46 million completely uninsured and millions more inadequately covered.

The reason we spend more and get less than the rest of the world is because we have a patchwork system of for-profit payers. Private insurers necessarily waste health dollars on things that have nothing to do with care: overhead, underwriting, billing, sales and marketing departments as well as huge profits and exorbitant executive pay. Doctors and hospitals must maintain costly administrative staffs to deal with the bureaucracy. Combined, this needless administration consumes one-third (31 percent) of Americans’ health dollars.

Single-payer financing is the only way to recapture this wasted money. The potential savings on paperwork, more than $350 billion per year, are enough to provide comprehensive coverage to everyone without paying any more than we already do.

Under a single-payer system, all Americans would be covered for all medically necessary services, including: doctor, hospital, long-term care, mental health, dental vision, prescription drug and medical supply costs. Patients would regain free choice of doctor and hospital, and doctors would regain autonomy over patient care.

Physicians would be paid fee-for-service according to a negotiated formulary or receive salary from a hospital or nonprofit HMO / group practice. Hospitals would receive a global budget for operating expenses. Health facilities and expensive equipment purchases would be managed by regional health planning boards.

A single-payer system would be financed by eliminating private insurers and recapturing their administrative waste. Modest new taxes would replace premiums and out-of-pocket payments currently paid by individuals and business. Costs would be controlled though negotiated fees, global budgeting and bulk purchasing.

The links below will lead you to more specific information on the details of single-payer:
Single-Payer Overviews

The Physicians Proposal for National Health Insurance

“Proposal of the Physicians’’ Working Group for Single-Payer National Health Insurance,” JAMA 290(6): Aug 30, 2003 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/physicians_proposal_intro.php

Key Features of Single-Payer
A useful handout detailing the main features of single-payer. http://www.pnhp.org/facts/key_features_of_singlepayer.php

Statement of Dr. Marcia Angell introducing the U.S. National Health Insurance Act
A great overview of the need for and logic of a single-payer system. Perfect as an introductory handout. http://www.pnhp.org/facts/dr_marcia_angell.php

Liberal Benefits, Conservative Spending
Another great introductory handout. http://www.pnhp.org/PDF_files/LiberalBenefitsConservativeSpending.pdf

Public Citizen's Response to the Citizens' Health Care Working Groups Interim Recommendations
A great overview on the benefits of a single-payer system by Public Citizen. http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/public_citizens_response_to_chcwg_interim_recommendations.php

Rep. Dennis Kucinich Tackles Health Care
Rep. Kucinich talks with Truthdig about the health care crisis in America. http://www.pnhp.org/news/2006/november/rep_dennis_kucinich.php

Single Payer: Facts and Myths

Single Payer FAQ
A frequently-updated catalog of the most-asked questions about single-payer. http://www.pnhp.org/facts/singlepayer_faq.php

Myths as Barriers to Health Care Reform
A paper refuting many of the myths associated with single-payer. http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/myths_as_barriers.php

“Mythbusters” by the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation
A series of brief papers debunking the common misconceptions about the Canadian health system. http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/mythbusters_by_the_canadian_health_services_research_foundation.php

“Moral Hazard:” The Myth of the Need for Rationing
http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/moral_hazard_the_myth_of_the_need_for_rationing.php

Rasell, E “Cost Sharing in Health Insurance – A Reexamination,” New Eng J Med., 332(7) 1995

Roos, et al “Does Comprehensive Insurance Encourage Unnecessary Use?” Can. Med. Assoc. J 170(2) Jan. 20, 2004

Gladwell, M. “The Moral Hazard Myth,” New Yorker Aug. 29, 2005
Health Economics and Financing

Introduction: How Much Would a Single-Payer System Cost? A review of government and independent studies of the cost of single-payer system. http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/introduction_how_much_would_a_singlepayer_system_cost.php


Administrative Waste Consumes 31 Percent of Health Spending - Woolhandler, et al “Costs of Health Administration in the U.S. and Canada,” NEJM 349(8) Sept. 21, 2003 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/administrative_waste_consumes_31_percent_of_health_spending.php

Administrative Costs in U.S. Hospitals are More Than Double Canada’s
Woolhandler, et al “Administrative Costs in U.S. Hosptials,” NEJM 329, Aug. 5, 1993 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/administrative_costs_in_us_hospitals_are_more_than_double_canadas.php

60 Percent of Health Spending is Already Publicly Financed, Enough to Cover Everyone =Woolhandler, et al. “Paying for National Health Insurance – And Not Getting It,” Health Affairs 21(4); July / Aug. 2002 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/60_percent_of_health_spending_is_already_publicly_financed_enough_to_cover_everyone.php

A Proposal for Financing National Health Insurance
Rasell, Edith “An Equitable Way to Pay for Universal Coverage,” International Journal of Health Services. 29(1); 1999 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/a_proposal_for_financing_national_health_insurance.php

"Liberal Benefits, Conservative Spending"
Grumbach, et al. JAMA, May 15, 1991, Vol. 265 No. 19 http://www.pnhp.org/publications/liberal_benefits_conservative_spending.php

The Case Against For-Profit Care

Overview: The High Costs of For-Profit Care

Editorial by David Himmelstein, MD and Steffie Woolhandler, MD in the Canadian Medical Association Journal -For-Profit Hospitals Cost More and Have Higher Death Rates http://www.pnhp.org/PDF_files/ForProfitCare.pdf

Devereaux, PJ “Payments at For-Profit and Non-Profit Hospitals,” Can. Med. Assoc. J., Jun 2004; 170 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/forprofit_hospitals_cost_more_and_have_higher_death_rates.php

Devereaux, PJ “Mortality Rates of For-Profit and Non-Profit Hospitals,” Can. Med. Assoc. J, May 2002; 166

For-Profit Hospitals Cost More and Have Higher Administration Expenses

Himmelstein, et al “Costs of Care and Admin. At For-Profit and Other Hospitals in the U.S.” NEJM 336, 1997 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/forprofit_hospitals_cost_more_and_have_higher_administration_expenses.php

For-Profit HMOs Provide Worse Quality Care -
Himmelstein, et al “Quality of Care at Investor-Owned vs. Not-for-Profit HMOs” JAMA 282(2); July 14, 1999 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/forprofit_hmos_provide_worse_quality_care.php

For-Profit Medicare Plans Cost 11 Percent More Than Traditional Medicare
MedPac Report, Jun 9, 2006 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/forprofit_medicare_plans_cost_11_percent_more_than_traditional_medicare.php

Quality and Malpractice

Introduction: Medical Malpractice, Health Care Quality and Health Care Reform (pdf)
A Forum Report by Gordon Schiff, MD http://www.pnhp.org/reader/Section%205%20-%20Quality%20and%20Malpractice%20Issues/Gordy%20Malpractice%20Primer.pdf

How Single-Payer Improves Health Care Quality (pdf)
A brief by PNHP (makes a great handout!) http://www.pnhp.org/facts/quality.pdf

A Better Quality Alternative: Single-Payer National Health Insurance -Schiff, et al
http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/a_better_quality_alternative_singlepayer_national_health_insurance.php


“A Better Quality Alternative” JAMA, 272(10); Sept. 12 1994 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/a_better_quality_alternative_singlepayer_national_health_insurance.php


Comprehensive Quality Improvement Requires Comprehensive Reform (pdf) -Schiff, et al “You Can’t Leap a Chasm in Two Jumps,” Public Health Reports 116, Sept / Oct 2001 http://www.pnhp.org/reader/Section%205%20-%20Quality%20and%20Malpractice%20Issues/IOM%20Chasm%20Paper.pdf

The Failures of Other Reform Options

Individual Mandates (The Massachusetts Plan) http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/individual_mandates_the_massachusetts_plan.php

Consumer Directed Health Care and Health Savings Accounts http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/consumer_directed_health_care_and_health_savings_accounts.php

Tax Credits for Private Insurance http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/tax_credits_for_private_insurance.php

Why HSAs Won't Cure What Ails U.S. Health Care http://www.cmwf.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=405167&#doc405167

Critique of Sen. Wyden's (OR) "Healthy Americans Act" http://www.pnhp.org/news/2006/december/lewin_group_analysis.php

Comparison between Schwarzenegger Health Plan and Single Payer for California http://www.pnhp.org/news/2007/january/comparison_between_s.php

State Single-Payer Bills

Arizona
http://www.pnhp.org/PDF_files/AZSinglePayerBill.pdf

Colorado
The Physicians for a National Health Program National Health Plan http://www.pnhp.org / is the only plan Democrats should accept from the primary candidate we vote for.


http://www.pnhp.org/PDF_files/ColoradoSinglePayerBill.pdf

International Health Systems

I. Canada
The Canadian Health System: Lessons for the United States
US General Accounting Office Report, June 1991 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/the_canadian_health_system_lessons_for_the_united_states.php

A Survey of the Canadian Health System - Armstrong, et al “A Perfect System?” excerpted from Universal Health Care, New York Press, 1998
http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/a_survey_of_the_canadian_health_system.php



A Survey of Studies Comparing the U.S. and Canada (pdf)
PNHP Brief, May 2006 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/CAN_Comparison_Sheet.pdf

The Future of Health Care in Canada (pdf)
Report of the Romanow Commission http://www.pnhp.org/reader/Section%206%20-%20Canadian%20Health%20System/Message%20to%20Canadians.pdf


II. International Comparisons
The U.S. spends more for less because of its fragmented financing system - Anderson, G. et al, "It’s the Prices, Stupid: Why the United States is so Different from Other Countries," Health Affairs 22(3), May/June 2004-http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/the_us_spends_more_for_less_because_of_its_fragmented_financing_system.php



U.S. Care Quality is No Better Than Other Countries -Hussey, P. et al "How Does the Quality of Care Compare in Five Countries?" Health Affairs 23(3) May/June 2004 http://www.pnhp.org/single_payer_resources/us_care_quality_is_no_better_than_other_countries.php

Single-Payer Bibliography

A bibliography of single-payer studies and papers http://www.pnhp.org/reader/

[GreenArrow]

7. he's not the only candidate with a "full blown" health plan

Kucinich has one, has had it longer, and has one that is better. Edwards' plan sucks. He has the nerve to talk about how Americans are sick of "transformational change, not small baby steps," and then he offers crap like that and sells it with his saccharine smile. Of course, as a "decent" man, I'm sure Edwards will stop saying that he is the only candidate with a "full blown" (it blows alright) health plan once someone informs him of the fact that he isn't. Being a decent, honest man, of course.

[saracat]

8. Kucinich? Really? But maybe it is because he isn't a "real cndidate". I am

sorry, but other than talking about the issue, which is good, it doesn't really matter what Kucinich has as a health plan.It doesn't count as it will not be considered.That may be unfortunate but it is true.

[GreenArrow]

12. Kucinich is a declared candidate, a U.S. Representative,

and a member of the same party as Edwards. No, he can't win, but he does have a health plan, which predates Edwards', and Edwards is being dishonest if he does not correct his statement. Given that I already consider Edwards an opportunistic, forked tongued, snake oil salesman, I won't hold my breath waiting.

[saracat]

25. Delete

[papau]

21. I dislike the Edwards plan but it's the "can be passed" plan per Edwards - We need

every Dem to be on board for single payer national health - and whoever is not on board should not be considered in the primary.

Here is Dennis's plan:

Rep. Dennis Kucinich Tackles Health Care
Rep. Kucinich talks with Truthdig about the health care crisis in America. http://www.pnhp.org/news/2006/november/rep_dennis_kucinich.php

[billybob537]

3. My prediction is

Edwards is our next president, Why? A. Very low negatives/ Hillary=high negatives Obama= very low among former Republicans/racists. I believe once we have a primary and stop letting the MSM deciede who the front runner is it will be Edwards. Just MHO But I'd love to see Both of these cantidates in some other role like Sec of State-Obama HaHS-Hillary VP Dean.

[IndianaGreen]

5. Unlike Hillary and Obama, Edwards did not hesitate on the question about Gen. Pace's views on gays

Hillary's "from the gut" response was that she would leave it to others to decide whether gays were immoral, as General Peter Pace had said. It took several hours for Hillary's campaign staff to put out a statement saying that Pace was wrong. Obama did not do much better!

As a LGBT American, I am forced to take another look at John Edwards!

[PresidentObama]

6. Edwards is doing quite well for himself.

Leading in Iowa, sitting back while Obama and Hillary remain in the overexposure of the MSM limelight, and is going full throttle as he is criss crossing the nation talking about issues that matter to people and raising buckets of money. He's made some decisions regarding his campaign I thought were silly, but you can't win em' all can you? He's ran a good campaign so far, and unless Clark or Gore gets in...He has my support!!

:)

[BayCityProgressive]

10. I am supporting Edwards

out of the top 3 in the polls: Edwards, Hillary, and Obama..Edwards has the most left wing platform. He opposes NAFTA and has stated he would write new trade agreements, I HATE his old position on the war and love the new one-but I can't shake the feeling it was all poll driven and that he will pay a big price in the general election for it, I love his big time union support, and he is good on other economic issues as well.

[bigdarryl]

9. Running 3rd in the polls is a very good position at this stage in the campaign

you can't maintain a lead like Hillary has for a year before the first votes are cast.

[Colobo]

11. Great guy, but Obama is my candidate. Period.

[IndianaGreen]

13. Obama fumbled the ball on LGBT rights, as Hillary did

On a core issue, one expects the candidate to answer "from the gut" without hesitation or nuance. John Edwards and John Warner gave quick straightforward answers to the question on General Pace's remarks about gays being immoral. Obama fudged and dodged several times, while Hillary had to issue a written statement hours later.

I am sorry, but such failure to defend LGBT people when under assault does not speak well about the candidate.

[Colobo]

14. Obama didn't do as well as I expected on that

I have to admit, and it's dissapointing. Edwards deserves a lot of credit for that and his answer speaks well about him, no doubt. I wouldn't blame you if Obama's dancing around the question turned you off.

I think Obama was trying to be too cautious (not a good thing), but I still feel he is a progressive man every American can count on. Don't get me wrong, I'm straight but civil rights for all are a crucial issue for me (it's not like I don't care)... I just wanna give my candidate the benefit of the doubt.

By the way, Indiana... I see you admire Hugo Chavez... interesting. I feel many Americans have way too much faith on several Latin American leaders, a faith we, Latin Americans, have lost...

[IndianaGreen]

17. Obama needs to build a bridge to the LGBT community

and he needs to face head on the issue of full rights and privileges of citizenship for gays and lesbians, including marriage rights.

I confess that his dodge of the Pace question left me cold. As a community, LGBTs have seen many Democratic candidates make promises which they subsequently did not keep. Human rights are never to be bargained for political gain.

[PresidentObama]

18. Edwards is my current favorite in the field.

BUT he also made the mistake of saying on Meet The Press that his Christian beliefs prevented him from supporting gay marriage, then said he didn't think being gay was a choice and it wasn't a sin. They're all being fairly cautious on the subject, and dancing about trying to prevent stepping on a political landmine.

[IndianaGreen]

20. Many gays come from Catholic or fundamentalist religious families

They understand better than most, what it means to have a conflict between that they are taught in church, and what their life and spiritual experience teaches them. They would not reject outright a candidate that says that they were brought up to believe that being gay was a choice and a sin, provided that they show that they have grown up, and learned that such beliefs are as wrong as the biblical injunction on women teaching men, or menstruating women being kept out of G_d's house.

What the gay community won't tolerate is to be betrayed once again by another Democratic candidate that promises to fight for the inherent dignity of gay people, only to change their tune at the merest sound of opposition from the Religious Right.

[zulchzulu]

29. I think that whole "issue" was overblown nonsense

Someone asking both Senators Clinton and Obama on whether homosexuality is immoral is frankly a stupid question. Both have fantastic records supporting gay rights, so the question was pretty pathetic. And if you read the full interview for both people, it was pretty freakin' obvious that they don't think being gay is "immoral"...

[Alcibiades]

15. As a fellow Tarheel, I like Edwards

but am leaning toward Richardson at this point. I don't like the fact that Edwards gave up his Senate seat. That was a boneheaded move that ultimately cost us the Senate (unless you count Lieberman as a Democrat, of course). Also, the extreme grandeur of the house he's building in Chapel Hill does call his judgment into question, in that it gives the right wing ammo to attack his credibility as a populist candidate. That being said, Edwards should counterattack by publicizing photos of the homes of prominent Republicans who attack him.

As for the details of his proposals, nothing is written in stone. Congress will rewrite everything, and hopefully we will wind up with universal healthcare of some sort.

[Colobo]

16. Your counterattack strategy is a bit flawed

Republicans are not running on a "two-Americas" campaign. If anything, they will use their big homes as an excuse to say how great things are in the country and how can every hard working individual can achieve success as they did... you know the story...

[Alcibiades]

27. We insist on making sense

And that is why we lose. Remember the health care ads that freaked everybody out because they wouldn't have the choice of their own doctor? Which led people to reject the Clinton health care plan, leaving millions without any choice of a doctor at all?That's why the Chewbacca defense is so brilliant. While it is true that the Republicans aren't running on a "two Americas" platform, they also spew out populist rhetoric about "the elite" while supporting policies designed to enrich the elite. They realize that an argument does not have to be rational or consistent to work on an emotional level. So if someone says Edwards' house is too large, his supporters should say "Well, it's a lot smaller than the Bush family compound at Kennebunkport, and I don't hear you complaining about that."

[Cha]

23. I don't really know my candidate yet but

there's a lot to like about John Edwards.

The only negative thing I've read is that "saber rattling" on Iran like the bushits.

[Czolgosz]

24. Thanks for the update.

[w4rma]

26. Very good. (nt)