Confused about the relative merits of Hillary and Obama’s health care plan? So am I. Let’s try to boil it down.

Shorter policy debate (via Jonathan Cohn): While both plans will expand coverage substantially, Hillary’s plan probably covers more people. However, the health policy experts and economists are still fighting about this.

Shorter political debate: On the one hand, it’s important to establish universal coverage as a principle, as Clinton does, so that it won’t be bargained away in the legislative process (Ezra Klein). But requiring people to pay for health insurance may be a difficult sell politically (Noam Scheiber).

Feel better? I do.

Update 12/5 10:08 AM: The New York Times story on the “who covers more?” debate suggests the answer is not at all clear. Clinton would require coverage, but Obama might end up covering more if enough people don’t comply with the mandate.

Update 12/6 9:15 AM: Scratch that — see here and here for problems with the article linked above.