Reply #5: On the other hand, it could be the best way to phase them out.

[Maven]

Insurance companies are making big bucks and they're not going anywhere without a fight. Instead, co-opt them and eventually make them obsolete.

Frankly, I'm unimpressed with Obama and Edwards' plans, which still require people to buy insurance on their own (oh, but they'll make sure it's more "fair" and "affordable," whatever the hell that means). Both plans look like a hodgepodge of minor modifications to the status quo with the label "universal" slapped on them. I'm looking forward to reading Clinton's plan...hopefully it will make more sense.