Giuliani criticizes Clinton health plan as 'socialized medicine'

By CURT ANDERSON
Associated Press Writer

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani on Monday labeled a health insurance plan proposed by Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton as "socialized medicine" and touted instead his proposal relying on tax breaks to help people buy insurance.

Giuliani said Clinton's proposed requirement that everyone carry health insurance was "government command and control" that would lead to more problems in the health care system.

"Government command and control only increases costs and decreases quality," Giuliani told reporters after touring a solar power installation at a local roofing company. "My approach is to encourage people to buy their own health insurance ... give people incentives to buy health insurance, not demand that they do it."

Giuliani spoke after Clinton, in Iowa, unveiled a $110 billion-a-year plan that would continue existing employer-based health coverage but would expand Medicare and the insurance plan that covers federal employees for people who don't get insurance at work, or through government programs, and can't afford it on their own.

"I believe everyone - every man, woman and child - should have quality, affordable health care in America," Clinton said in unveiling her plan. "This is not government-run."

But Giuliani called the proposal "a pretty clear march toward socialized medicine" and compared Clinton's approach to that advocated by liberal filmmaker Michael Moore, whose recent movie "Sicko" was highly critical of the U.S. health industry and favored universal health care.

Giuliani's plan relies heavily on a $15,000 tax deduction to help families purchase insurance, with leftover money available for medical expenses.

Giuliani, who leads in most polls among GOP candidates in Florida, was in Fort Lauderdale to visit Advanced Roofing Inc. and inspect the company's innovative use of solar power to provide electricity to its headquarters building. Advanced Roofing's chief executive officer, Rob Kornahrens, described himself as a former New Yorker and avid Giuliani supporter.

"He's interested in what we're doing," Kornahrens said. "This is a truly renewable energy."

Later Monday, Giuliani greeted supporters at a south Tampa coffee house, accompanied by Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, before attending a private fundraising dinner.

While posing for pictures, Giuliani told the crowd that he would be spending a lot more time in Florida before the Jan. 29 primary.