Democratic presidential hopeful Chris Dodd dished out his plan for universal health care during a kitchen table discussion today in Marion at the home of Jerry and Marvalee Vuichard.

Dodd speaks with Eastern Iowa residents about his health care plan during a kitchen table event in Marion.

“What I’m advocating is a totally universal program with 100 percent of the American people involved,” Dodd told the seven people gathered around the table. “This is an affordable and quality health-care package.”

Dodd’s plan, if he is elected, is to introduce his health care initiative within days of inauguration in 2009 and to phase it in over a four-year period. He says having a “portable” plan is key to covering all Americans.

“Regardless of where you live in America, [health care] will follow the individual and not the job,” said the U.S. senator from Connecticut. “This is a plan which is literally an American plan. What is does is to create a marketplace for health care — something I call a Universal HealthMart — that is based on the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.”

Under Dodd’s plan, all employers would have to provide insurance to their employees either through the HealthMart or through existing systems. Individuals would be automatically enrolled in the program. Individuals and businesses would contribute to HealthMart based on their ability to pay, and individuals would have a choice of plans and coverage.

By pooling coverage, Dodd says, this plan would spread risk and increase the bargaining power of the government to negotiate lower premiums. Premiums would be made further affordable by requiring insurance companies to provide incentives to both individuals and businesses that promote the use of technology and preventative care as a condition of participation.

“Chris Dodd’s proposal thoroughly achieves universal coverage without qualification,” Barbara Smith, health care policy expert and consultant to the campaign, said in a prepared statement. “It is the boldest and most pragmatic plan to date to achieve universal and affordable coverage while improving care. It provides for the comprehensive reform the country needs, while at the same time, being achievable by building on the current system.”

Smith was a lead staffer on health care to Rep. Jim McDermott, a member of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee between 1993 and 1995.

The 87 percent price increase in premiums in the past six years and “other outrages,” says Dodd, have led to an environment where change can happen.

“There is a level of impatience in this country that is palpable,” he said. “Anyone who doesn’t understand that isn’t listening to the people of this country at all.”

Dodd says his ability to walk across the aisle and get things done is what will be the major difference in his plan becoming a reality.

“In the past I’ve always been able to approach and work with people who don’t necessarily agree with me,” Dodd said. “That’s exactly what’s going to have to happen with health care. This isn’t all going to get done by one person. It’s going to take the ability to sit down and work with other people.”

Dodd is not the only Democratic candidate to put forth a health care plan. Former Sen. John Edwards, Sen. Barack Obama and Gov. Bill Richardson all have developed initiatives for health care. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York has not provided a detailed plan and told the Des Moines Register on July 21 that she will wait until she is elected to determine which path to pursue in relation to health care.

Video of Marion’s kitchen table event is available on Dodd’s website. Dodd’s current visit to the Hawkeye State will continue through Saturday.