FACTBOX-Health care plans of presidential candidates

(Reuters) - With 47 million people in the United States without health insurance, the U.S. presidential candidates' plans to close that gap are coming under scrutiny by voters before the November 2008 election. Following are some health care proposals from leading candidates.

DEMOCRATS

* New York Sen. Hillary Clinton

Her plan, estimated to cost about $110 billion per year, would require all Americans to get health insurance. Under a public-private partnership, they would keep existing coverage or choose from private insurance options members of Congress receive. Individuals may also choose a public plan similar to Medicare.

Creates new federal subsidies for those who can't afford coverage and imposes new mandates on large employers to provide health insurance or help pay for it. Small business will receive tax breaks to provide health coverage.

Forces insurance companies to give coverage to everyone, ending discrimination based on pre-existing conditions. Drug companies would also be required to offer fair prices.

* Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards

Proposal also requires health insurance for all and is estimated to cost about $120 billion per year. It forces private companies, government and individuals to share responsibility for obtaining coverage. Creates new tax credits, expands Medicaid and the federal-state children's health insurance plan, and takes steps to contain health care costs.

Creates regional Health Care Markets, or purchasing pools to give Americans the option of buying into a health care plan, increases choices among insurance plans and cuts costs for businesses offering insurance to employees.

* Illinois Sen. Barack Obama

His plan provides health coverage for almost all Americans. Creates national public insurance program to allow individuals and small businesses to buy affordable health care similar to that available to federal employees. No one will be turned way or charged more due to illness and everyone who needs it will receive a subsidy for their premiums.

Requires all employers to contribute toward health coverage for their employees or toward the cost of the public plan. Creates a national health insurance exchange to reform the private insurance market.

Mandates that all children have health care coverage.

* New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson

Plan calls for coverage for every American. Working families and small businesses will be able to purchase coverage through the same plan as members of Congress. It guarantees all Americans can choose to keep current coverage or obtain coverage through an existing program.

It will be paid for without raising taxes. Everyone who needs coverage will get an advance refundable tax credit based on income. All Americans will have to have health coverage and employers will pay their share of employee health-care costs.