Drafting Committee Approves Party Platform For "Affordable Healthcare For All"

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - The Democratic Platform Committee approved the party's 2008 platform over the weekend with language recognizing Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D-NY) proposal for universal healthcare.

All 186 members of the Platform panel led by chairperson Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano met during a public meeting in Pittsburgh on Saturday. They recommended that "All Americans should have coverage they can afford," and declared that the party is, "united behind a commitment that every American man, woman and child be guaranteed to have affordable, comprehensive health care."

The language on healthcare, a contentious issue between Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) during the primary season, was not as strong as some activists had hoped. Nonetheless, it reflects the efforts of party officials to assuage Clinton backers while still being true to Obama's proposal that all Americans should be able to afford, but not required to buy, healthcare coverage.

The platform also recognizes Clinton's historic bid for the presidency, saying, "Our party is proud that we have put 18 million cracks in the highest glass ceiling." Clinton received 18 million votes during the primary season.

Clinton supporters tried unsuccessfully to get Platform Committee members to agree to an amendment ending the use of caucuses, a format in which Clinton did poorly during the primary season. The proposal was referred to the Rules Committee without a vote.

The platform adopts Obama's timetable for Iraq, "complete redeployment within 16 months," and calls for shutting down Guantanamo Bay, a plan the Bush administration has been unable to do because there is nowhere to put detainees who cannot be charged or released for security reasons.

Nearly 30,000 voters helped shape the party's platform, "Renewing America's Promise," in 1,600 meetings nationwide organized by the Democratic National Committee (DNC). It will be presented for final approval during the Democratic National Convention in Denver late this month.

In a joint statement with Napolitano and other panel officials, DNC Chairman Howard Dean said, "Our Platform reflects Barack Obama's commitment to changing the way we do business in Washington and outlines clear examples on how we'll make ethics reform a priority... It recognizes the important role women play in the Democratic Party and the strength and diversity of a united party fighting for a new direction for America."