Why Does Obama Fear Mandatory Health Care?

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama sparred over health care reform during their debate Thursday in Hollywood, Calif. A key issue separates their two plans: mandating health care coverage. Clinton supports a mandate; Obama does not.

According to a recent report by the Urban Institute, any health care plan (aside from a single-payer system) will not be able to provide universal coverage without a mandate for coverage. So why is Obama afraid of a mandate?

Clinton made a charge in the debate that Obama chose not to include a mandate because it was controversial:

Now, in Barack's plan, he very clearly says he will mandate that parents get health insurance for his children. So it's not that he is against mandatory provisions; it's that he doesn't think it would be politically acceptable to require that for everyone.

Obama did not answer the charge directly, choosing instead allude to his recent endorsement from Sen. Ted Kennedy (D., Mass), a long advocate for universal health coverage.

On his campaign Web site, Obama describes his health care plan as follows: "Quality, Affordable and Portable Coverage for All." He guarantees that every American who wants affordable health care will be able to get it, regardless of pre-existing conditions. ...