Now that health care has become the proverbial obesity sufferer eating at the economy while politicians prepare for an election year, the issue is finally grabbing the attention it's deserved for quite some time. Money and emergencies tend to motivate.

As Brian White pointed out in a recent post , Clinton finally trotted out her plan on the heels of Obama and Edwards while the Republican candidates continue to talk about terror.

The plans have differences. But basically, they give hope for the 40-some million uninsured and aim to put tax credits in the pockets of others who are thankfully insured, but shelling out thousands per year in premiums, deductibles and co-pays to keep their families healthy. You know, the lucky ones, paying dearly to live and work in the richest country in the world.

Clinton has scored many reviewers' points for pragmatism. Obama claims his plan is similar to Clinton's but better. Edwards said the same, but goes a step further in the fine print. His proposal, which offers more detail than the other candidates', includes cutting off health care for the president, Congress and all political appointees in mid 2009 if a universal health care plan for all Americans has not been passed by then. I've marked my calendar. But, of course, Election Day comes first.