Continuing to gain steam on an agressively populist campaign, John Edwards released a health care plan this morning pledging to give all uninsured Americans coverage by 2012. In a press release on the former senator's website, the Edwards team promises to work towards helping America's 47 million uninsured by:

- "Requiring businesses and other employers to either cover their employees or help finance their health insurance."

- "Making insurance affordable by creating new tax credits, expanding Medicaid and SCHIP, reforming insurance laws, and taking innovative steps to contain health care costs."

- "Creating regional 'Health Market'" purchasing pools to let every American share the bargaining power to purchase an affordable, high-quality health plan, increase choices among insurance plans, and cut costs for businesses offering insurance."

Estimates suggest that the plan will run up a price tag of about 120 million dollars per year, and will require a tax hike - placed primarily on the wealthiest Americans - to help fund it. With rivals Hillary and Obama neglecting thus far to provide details on their plans to address health care reform, Edwards' early stance firmly places the ball in his opponents court.