Should candidates give a timeline for their health care reform plans?

[OzarkDem]

We know they support timelines for withdrawal from Iraq, for good reason. Anyone who says they support an end to the war needs to be held somewhat accountable.

All of our candidates have agreed they support plans for universal health care, but most are rather complex and won't cover all Americans in one step. Some also have many facets that will require numerous legislative changes in Congress.

Since health care reform is a key component in preventing damage to our health care system and economy, shouldn't we ask all '08 candidates to provide an estimate of how many people will be covered and when? Shouldn't they offer some set of benchmarks for when they hope to have their reforms enacted, so we can judge how realistic their plans are?

For those supporting a particular Dem candidate already, your estimates of your candidates health care reform timelines would be helpful

[HCE SuiGeneris]

1. Yes, and it needs to be designed and implemented with speed and acumen. n/t

[Faygo Kid]

2. No, I would prefer a commitment to fight like hell unrelentingly

We know now that the GOP is virtually monolithic and utterly obstructionist, marching in lockstep to the evils of Bushism. Imposing a timeline would cause them to do everything they can to embarrass any new Dem president by making that timeline an impossibility. I want a commitment from the candidates that they will not back off, that they and the Dems will use every political weapon in their arsenals to assure that health care legislation is passed and made law, as quickly as they can accomplish it.

This war for the soul of our nation will not be won merely by Bush leaving office (should that actually happen). We must eradicate his legacy of hate and privilege root and branch, and that will take a war. May as well make health care the first battle.