Health Care Isn't a Third Rail Anymore

Thirteen years after Hillary-Care, politicians are ready to think big again about the US health care system, the Wall Street Journal reports. Skyrocketing costs and the rising ranks of the uninsured are combining to form a climate where candidates feel that they can tackle the issue without political backlash—even if it means taking on insurance, medical, and pharmaceutical lobbies.

All three Democratic presidential frontrunners have unveiled universal health care proposals. Obama and Edwards would use a rollback of tax cuts for the wealthy to pay for their programs. And Republicans candidates have been notably shy about blasting these big-government plans. Giuliani doesn't even list health care as one of his top ten issues.