On Tour in New Hampshire, John Edwards Attacks the Health Insurance Industry

Presidential candidate John Edwards unveiled a new plan to take on health insurance companies while campaigning in New Hampshire this week, according to a new press release issued on his campaign website. Edwards went beyond the usual concerns about affordability in his description of the health care crisis facing the nation while talking to voters in that early voting state.

"Even families with insurance are often unprotected from catastrophic events, as insurers fight legitimate claims, impose coverage caps, and look for technicalities to cancel policies," he said.

He also described health insurance companies as being more concerned with profits than people, saying that, "I've seen first-hand how far too often health insurance companies will put profit and executive bonuses above the medical needs of their customers."

Edwards also sought to describe himself as the only candidate willing to take on a political establishment dominated by corporate interests. "I have spent my entire life battling special interest groups to protect the rights of regular Americans," he said.

Edwards attacked Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney's position on the health care issue as well. "Last week, Governor Romney proposed even further deregulation of the health insurance industry - a plan that could lead to even more insured Americans without the care they need."

Instead, Edwards called for the creation of tougher regulations for the health insurance industry. Under the Edward's plan health insurance companies would be required to provide coverage to every applicant, regardless of pre-existing illnesses or conditions. Companies would no longer be allowed to charge more for coverage provided to those working in certain high risk industries or to those with pre-existing conditions. 85 percent of premiums would have to be spent on patient care.

The plan also calls for increased transparency in the health insurance industry. Health care advocates would provide help to citizens who have to negotiate with their insurance companies. In order to increase competition and prevent the emergence of monopolies mergers between insurance companies could be blocked by the plan. Private insurance companies would also face competition from Edward's proposed public insurance plan.

Edwards tour of New Hampshire was set to continue this week. A recent poll showed Edwards in third place in the Granite State. In the poll, which conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, 13 percent of voters who said they were likely to vote in the Democratic primary in New Hampshire picked Edwards as their candidate of choice.