John Edwards for President Campaign Holds Health Care Policy Forum

(Manchester, NH) – The John Edwards for President campaign hosted a forum on health care policy today with National Campaign Manager Congressman David Bonior and Deputy Policy Director Heather McGhee. It was the last of five forums held across New Hampshire this week.

“New Hampshire voters are looking for substance, not sound bites,” said Bonior. “From ending the war in Iraq to fighting global warming to creating truly universal health care, Senator Edwards has proposed detailed policies and has led the way on every issue. These forums allow Granite Staters to learn more about his positions, and also to share their concerns and proposals.”

Thursday’s forum focused on Senator Edwards’ bold and detailed proposals to provide truly universal health care. Edwards is the only presidential candidate to offer a detailed plan for true universal health care that offers Americans the option of a public plan that will compete with private insurance companies. His plan cuts skyrocketing costs by focusing on preventive health care and supporting evidence-based medicine, abolishes the exclusion of pre-existing conditions and establishes mental health parity.

“There are 45 million Americans living without health care,” continued Bonior. “Senator Edwards knows that America can and must do better, and that’s why he has proposed the boldest, most detailed plan to provide truly universal health care for every man, woman and child in America.”

The five policy forums were held across New Hampshire from July 23rd to July 26th, and covered Edwards’ policies concerning Iraq, veterans’ issues, the environment, disability rights and health care. Participants in the forums included National Campaign Manager David Bonior, Senior Foreign Policy Adviser Michael Signer, Deputy Policy Director Heather McGhee, and adviser to the campaign General Gregory “Speedy” Martin.

New Iowa KCCI Channel 8 Poll Shows Jump for Gov Bill Richardson

AMES, IA -- Today, Democratic Presidential candidate Governor Bill Richardson has jumped to 11% in a new Iowa KCCI Channel 8 Poll, a 4-point gain since May.

"This poll is consistent with the momentum we're seeing on the ground in Iowa," said campaign manager Dave Contarino. "The more Iowa voters get to know Governor Richardson, the more they like him. His experience, his vision for growing the economy and enacting universal healthcare, and his plan for getting all of our troops out of Iraq with no residual forces are resonating with voters everywhere. This poll reflects that."

Today's poll shows Governor Richardson with the most growth in support among all the candidates. It also shows him quickly closing in on Senator Obama.

Here are the results to the most recent July Iowa KCCI Channel 8 Poll:

	July 2007	May 2007
Edwards	27%	26%
Clinton	22%	28%
Obama	16%	22%
Richardson	11%	7%
Biden		2%
Dodd		2%
Kucinich		2%
Gravel		1%

Note: Final July numbers have not yet been reported by KCCI Channel 8

Governor Richardson's campaign continues to pick up speed in Iowa. Just before Governor Richardson's solid performance at the CNN/YouTube debate, the campaign started running a new ad called "Heroes" in Iowa, detailing Governor Richardson's leadership of the national effort to raise death benefits for the families of fallen soldiers and his plans to give a "Heroes' Health Card" to our veterans, so they can get healthcare wherever and whenever they need it.

Governor Richardson continues to rise in the all-important early primary states. Today's poll comes on the heels of a CNN/KMUR/UNH poll, showing Governor Richardson ahead of John Edwards in New Hampshire.

"Our strategy of door-to-door, grassroots campaigning in the early primary states is paying off," said Contarino.

The pundits are starting to realize what the voters have known for awhile: Governor Richardson is a top-tier contender. A recent USA Election Polls article predicted an upset victory for Governor Richardson in Iowa.

Please find a press release on the Iowa poll done for the campaign by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin and Associates here:
http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/newsroom/pressreleases?id=0139

Please find a press release on the CNN/KMUR/UNH poll here:
http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/newsroom/pressreleases?id=0180

Please watch the ad "Heroes" here:
http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/heroes_ad

Please find the USA Election Poll article here:
http://www.usaelectionpolls.com/2008/articles/bill-richardson-to-win-iowa.html

Former Members of Congress Endorse Governor Bill Richardson for President

SANTA FE, NM -- Governor Bill Richardson's campaign momentum continued to rise today with the endorsements of eight distinguished former Members of Congress.

"These distinguished and influential former Members of Congress will help lead my campaign to victory," said Governor Richardson. "I was honored to serve with many of them when I was in Congress and I am honored to have them join my campaign for a stronger America."

Together, these former members of Congress represent a large and diverse swath of the country. Their service to society, both in the public and private sectors, is broad and extensive.

"Having represented Arizona in Congress, I know that Governor Richardson shares our Western values. He stands for fiscal responsibility, protection of our environment, and an aggressive move towards energy independence," said former Congressman and former Arizona Democratic Party Chair Sam Coppersmith of Arizona. "I am excited to help Governor Richardson win in Arizona and across the West."

"Not only does Governor Richardson have the strongest record on the issues and the boldest vision for the future, he can also win in every part of the country. In his last campaign, he earned almost seventy percent of the vote in the red state of New Mexico. People of all political stripes are attracted to his extraordinary record of public service and his common-sense vision of governance," said former Congressman Buddy Darden of Georgia. "I will work tirelessly to make sure that the great state of Georgia is with Bill Richardson."

"Governor Richardson is the strong, decisive leader that our country needs so badly. Of all the candidates, Richardson has the best combination of vision for getting us out of Iraq and turning around our public schools, with the experience and record of accomplishment to implement these important policies," said former Congressman Bob Carr of Michigan. "He knows how to bring people together to make real progress on the issues that count."

Please find a list of the former Members of Congress endorsing Governor Richardson today below:

Sam Coppersmith (D-AZ)
Elizabeth Furse (D-OR)
Ken Holland (D-SC)
Ronnie Flippo (D-AL)
Bill Hefner (D-NC)
Buddy Darden (D-GA)
Don Bonker (D-WA)
Bob Carr (D-MI)

Jackie Clegg Dodd to Visit New Hampshire

WASHINGTON -- Jackie Clegg Dodd, wife of Presidential candidate Chris Dodd, will visit New Hampshire Friday, July 27th. She will first attend the grand opening of the Chris Dodd for President Nashua Regional Field Office.  After opening the Nashua office, Clegg Dodd will then attend the greet voters in Concord and Manchester.

Please note all times are LOCAL and all events are open to the press.

Friday, July 27th
12:30 pm        Nashua Regional Field Office Grand Opening
                        Location: 178 Main Street
                                          Nashua, NH 03060


3:00 pm         Meet and Greet at Granite Ledges of Concord
                       Location: Granite Ledges of Concord
                                        151 Langley Parkway
                                        Concord, NH 03301


6:00 pm         Tom Donovan for Mayor Office Grand Opening
                        Location: 848 Elm Street, Second Floor
                                         Manchester, NH 03101

DODD UNVEILS COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE PLAN

MARION, IA - Today, Presidential Candidate Chris Dodd unveiled his comprehensive health care plan at the home of Jerry Vuichard. Talking about skyrocketing health care insurance costs with members of the community at the Vuichards' kitchen table, Dodd outlined his plan to make affordable coverage available to all Americans by the end of his first term as President.

"The failed leadership and misplaced priorities of the last six years have put the health of our middle class at risk," said Dodd. "In order to address the health of America's middle class, we have to address soaring health care costs. That is why I am proposing a health care plan that provides for affordable, universal coverage."

Dodd's plan would provide affordable, universal coverage for all Americans within four years by establishing the Universal HealthMart - a health care insurance market place based on the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP). Under Dodd's plan all employers would have to provide insurance to their employees either through the Universal HealthMart or through existing systems. Individuals would be automatically enrolled in the Universal HealthMart as well. Individuals and businesses would contribute to HealthMart based on their ability to pay, and individuals would have a choice of plans and coverage. By pooling coverage, Dodd's plan would spread risk and increase the bargaining power of the government to negotiate lower premiums. Premiums would be made further affordable by requiring insurance companies to provide incentives that promote the use of technology and preventive care as a condition of participation in the Universal HealthMart.

"Chris Dodd's proposal thoroughly achieves universal coverage without qualification," said health care policy expert and consultant Barbara Smith. Smith,  who was a lead staffer on health care to Rep. Jim McDermott, a member of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee between 1993-1995, added, "It is the boldest and most pragmatic plan to date to achieve universal and affordable coverage while improving care. It provides for the comprehensive reform the country needs, while, at the same time, being achievable by building on the current system."

"By establishing the Universal HealthMart, individuals would be guaranteed affordable health care coverage," said Dodd. "America deserves a health care system that provides universal, affordable coverage through universal responsibility shared by employers, individuals, insurance companies and the government."

Dodd's Kitchen Table event was attended by middle class families, laborers and health care professionals who were all affected by America's health care crisis.

Under Chris Dodd's Plan for Affordable Health Care for All:

- All Americans will have quality, affordable health coverage within four years.

- Individuals and businesses will contribute based on their ability to pay.

- Premiums will be affordable based on leveraged negotiating power, spreading risk, reduced administrative costs, and incentives for technology and preventive care.

- Coverage will be portable - insurance purchased in the Universal HealthMart will follow individuals, not jobs.

The full plan can be read at www.chrisdodd.com.

Dodd Health Plan Comparison to other Candidates click here