Pittsburgh Post-Gazette examines Democratic Presidential candidates' health care plans

Democratic presidential candidates Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and Barack Obama (Ill.) have both proposed health care plans that would "build on the existing health care system" to make affordable coverage available to the uninsured, but they differ on whether an individual insurance mandate is necessary to expand coverage to all U.S. residents, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The Post-Gazette details the similarities between the proposals, reporting that "both contain a long list of measures aimed at reducing the cost of health care, improving quality and expanding the availability of affordable coverage." The paper notes that the "key distinction" between the plans is that Clinton would require that everyone obtain coverage, while Obama would only require that children be covered.

Analysts interviewed by the Post-Gazette "agreed the two Democratic plans are much different from health proposals advanced by Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), the presumptive Republican presidential nominee." According to the Post-Gazette, McCain would not "guarantee coverage." He has proposed eliminating the tax preference employees receive for employer-sponsored coverage, replacing it with a tax credit for health insurance of $2,500 per individual or $5,000 per family (Fahy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 4/18).

Broadcast Coverage

NPR's "Morning Edition" on Thursday reported on McCain's health care plan, which would "encourage people to buy their own insurance, rather than get it through their jobs" by "giving people tax credits, encouraging more people to set up tax-advantaged health savings accounts and letting them buy insurance policies across state lines." The segment includes comments from McCain; Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Democratic presidential candidate and former Sen. John Edwards (N.C.); and health care consultant Bob Laszewski (Rovner, "Morning Edition," NPR, 4/17). Audio of the segment is available online.

PBS' "Now" on Friday is scheduled to report on proposed health care initiatives in Pennsylvania, including a plan supported by Gov. Ed Rendell (D) ("Now" Web site, 4/18). Additional details about the segment are available online. Video will be available after the broadcast. A broadcast schedule also is available online.