Many liberal Democrats believed that Mr.Obama's election last year presented the best opportunity yet to pass health care legislation that would include universal insurance coverage for all Americans and the establishment of a government insurance program to compete with private insurance companies.

VOA: standard.2009.09.28

Mr Edwards released his ideas for universal insurance in February, almost two years before election day.

ECONOMIST: The candidates: John Edwards

Universal benefits for pensioners will be protected for almost a year after the 2015 general election, Downing Street has said.

BBC: David Cameron

In this off-year election, we hear disproportionately from seniors, a population already covered by the universal Medicare program.

CNN: A GOP Contract with America for 2010