Politics 2008

From The Associated Press

Obama assails McCain over health care plan

NEWPORT NEWS, Virginia—Democrat Barack Obama sharply criticized Republican John McCain’s health care proposals Saturday, saying they could force millions of Americans to struggle to buy medical insurance.

Turning to an issue that has faded somewhat during the economic crisis, Obama gave an unusually detailed outline of his own plans in a 40-minute speech to thousands of sun-soaked Virginians at a waterside park in Newport News. He would make coverage more affordable to most Americans, he said, paying for the subsidies largely by canceling the Bush administration’s tax cuts for people making more than $250,000 a year.

Speaking from a TelePrompTer, Obama told the Virginia crowd he would reduce premiums for most people by “as much as $2,500 per family.”

He would save money in the health care system, he said, by holding drug and insurance companies “accountable for the prices they charge and the harm they cause.” He also said he would outlaw “insurance company discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions.”

Medicare, the government health insurance program for the elderly, would be allowed to negotiate with drug makers for cheaper prices, and his administration would place greater emphasis on preventing illnesses, he said.

“The time has come to solve this problem, to cut health care costs for families and businesses, and provide affordable, accessible health insurance for every American,” Obama said.

McCain preps for debate in Arizona

SEDONA, Ariz.—Republican presidential candidate John McCain is spending Saturday at a resort hotel in Sedona, preparing for his second debate with Democratic nominee Barack Obama.

The Arizona senator plans to stay for the weekend at his family retreat outside Sedona. He took a motorcade to town and is devoting most of the day to preparing responses to possible questions at the debate and polishing his message.

Obama and McCain are scheduled to meet Tuesday at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, for the second of three debates.

The televised debate moderated by NBC’s Tom Brokaw will feature issues raised by audience members and submitted by Internet participants in a town hall format.