Clinton Criticized for Go-Slow Approach
EmailABC News’ Teddy Davis Reports: Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., has undercut her standing with a politically powerful labor union with her go-slow approach on health care.
"We’re disappointed in what she’s released so far," Stephanie Mueller, the spokesperson for the powerful Service Employees International Union, told ABC News. While expressing disappointment that Clinton has not yet released a health care plan offering coverage for all Americans, Mueller was quick to add that when it comes to winning the union’s coveted endorsement "no one has been disqualified at this point."
Rather than unveiling her health care plan in one fell swoop, Clinton is dribbling out her proposals on cost, quality, and coverage in three different phases.
When Clinton is asked why she has not kept pace with her top Democratic rivals in offering a plan for universal coverage, she is quick to say that her failed effort in the 1990s to reform the nation’s health care system taught her that it is more important to build a political coalition than to offer specific policy details which can be picked apart by one’s political adversaries.
Mueller does not dismiss the importance of building political support for universal coverage. She thinks, however, that offering policy details on how to extend coverage is "an indication of the importance that the candidates are placing on health-care reform as an issue."
"We agree wholeheartedly that having the political will to pass a plan is a crucial part of this whole process so we want to hear from the candidates about how they would move their solution through Congress," said Mueller. "But at the same time that you are talking about building a political coalition, we think you should also be laying out specifics so that voters have that information."
Having missed the union’s August 1 deadline, Mueller hopes that the former first lady will detail a plan for universal coverage – as well as the means to pay for it – by September 17 when SEIU holds a presidential candidates forum in Washington, D.C.
"September would be a great time to release the other details of her plan since we will have our most politically active members in D.C.," said Mueller, adding that SEIU has not been told by the Clinton campaign when the plan will be released.
When asked when Clinton will unveil her coverage proposal, a Clinton campaign spokesperson declined to comment.
Clinton is one of several Democratic presidential candidates who have agreed to speak to SEIU members on Sept. 17. The other confirmed participants are former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., and Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del.
Among the Republican presidential candidates, only Mike Huckabee has expressed interest in speaking to SEIU members. Mueller described the former Arkansas governor as being "very active" in meeting with SEIU’s Republican members in New Hampshire. Huckabee will be included in the Sept. 17 forum if he agrees to spend a day performing the job functions of one of the union’s members. SEIU has made participation in its "Walk A Day In My Shoes" program mandatory for anyone who wants to speak at its forum.
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Clinton, Bush, Edwards, McCain, Obama, Giuliani all the same disconnected multi-millionaire with a different mask and campaign of lies! THIRD PARTY NOW!!!
Posted by: geddesman | August 3, 2007, 8:32 pm 8:32 pm
Maybe Hillary really is “Bush-Cheney Lite.” HA Ha!
Posted by: carl | August 4, 2007, 3:21 pm 3:21 pm
Socialized Health care is a myth perpetrated by the Dem’s. Ask yourself honestly while it may look good on the surface. The ugly truth is it will “Perhaps not a first” but will in a short number of years end up substandard care pick and choose who deserves true medical attention nothing to say for the fact that socialized medicine is exactly that Socialism. A simple remedy to this problem is simply this “True care for the Underpriveledged and Lower Middle class” Need to be looked after in such a way as to downsize government cut all the MASSIVE spending on phony intrusive fed beurocracies. Return the money back to the people so they can AFFORD health care. Honestly do you think Health insurance company’s are for this Socialized medicine. When most of the Ruling Elite are in the pockets of just such Company’s. Force then to make real healthcare at more resonable prices by pushing them out of Govt and make it free market bring back honest competetivness among those elites Socialized Health care is a myth that will NEVER happen while these elitests are in the pockets of these Companies. Simply put if you wanna get rich start a good company if you wanna get Mega rich sell something to the government. Free Market means Justful Competition and thusly a higher dollar value
Posted by: Robert | August 4, 2007, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm
Socialism is a WORD. That’s all it is.
Rather than using a WORD to define the best plan to get Americans something they need, use your brain.
We need National Health Care. Substandard care is a myth. USA ranks 37th in the World on health care, while we pay 3 times as much as everyone else.
Now, we can set up some plan that MANDATES people to purchase Insurance from the very same folks who have driven up the costs in the first place, or we can start fresh and fair, by putting a payroll tax that’s 1.5% lower than what we have now.
Personally, I don’t want to create another pork barrel for Insurance Lobbies; rather, I’d like to see that PROFIT go into something that’s getting people medical help when they need it.
That’s why I’m voting Kucinich 2008.
He’s the only candidate with Universal, Single Payer Health Care.
Universal Health Care would be a huge shot in the arm for small business, and big ones, as well. Without the burden of these benefits, they could afford to increase wages without going bankrupt.
The current system ONLY benefits Insurers, the AMA, and the Health scammers. Let’s benefit people for a change, and stop lining the pockets of rich people with the lives and well being of our citizens.
Posted by: bamaslama | August 4, 2007, 7:29 pm 7:29 pm