DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES' DEFAULT HEALTH CARE PROPOSAL
Individual Mandate
Employer Mandate
Pooling
Private Insurance
Financing
Yes, with sliding scale by income or tax credit Mixed; many choose play or pay Create new market based on Federal Employee Health Benefit Plan specs. Retain private insurance. Outlaw underwriting in the new pool Costs +/- $100 billion/year. Roll back Bush tax breaks plus efficiencies
NOTES

Obama mandates all children, Biden targets children.

Clinton, Edwards, Richardson mandate universal.

Kucinich: all residents auto-enrolled.

Biden & Gravel: no mandates.

Clinton mandates large employers

Kucinich: not necessary

Biden & Gravel: no mandates.

Biden: fed supported reinsurance pool for catastrophic.

Kucinich: all residents in one pool

Clinton and Edwards offer a Medicare-like option for otherwise uninsured.

Clinton: guaranteed issue, no experience rating.

Clinton, Edwards & Richardson: companies to meet minimum loss ratio.

Kucinich: only for add-on services

Kucinich: new taxes but total costs less
An overall critique of the Democratic candidates' positions
Detail