WATERLOO - John and Elizabeth Edwards are in the fight of their lives with her breast cancer recurrence, but the presidential candidate said others have it worse -- those without health insurance.

"I'm very proud of Elizabeth. She's honestly one of the finest human beings I've ever known," Edwards, whose wife was not present, told about 400 people at Waterloo's Electric Park Ballroom. "She says it better than I do. What's happened to us has happened to millions of women just like Elizabeth all over this country. They didn't have thousands and thousands of people around the country praying for them…They got up and went to work the next day. They took care of their kids, and they took care of their families. And a lot of them didn't have health care coverage," unlike his own family. He renewed calls for universal health care coverage

"You want to think about what's at stake in this election? That's what's at stake in this election," Edwards said. "Having a president of the United States who's grieving for people who are struggling. Who wants them to have a chance. Who believes it is wrong in America for those who have been successful to pull up the ladder behind them. Who believes that everybody ought to have the same chance.

"I believe this in my soul: That no matter who your daddy is, or where you live, or what the color of their skin is,…every single one of us has value," Edwards said. "But if we believe those things, we have to act on them. If we believe that, we should have universal health care in our country," he said, drawing whoops and applause.

Under the former senator's proposal, employers would have to cover all their employees or pay into a fund toward coverage, Edwards said. Individuals could choose between private plans or a government plan. It would include parity for coverage of mental health treatment; long-term care; outlaw the practice of denying coverage for pre-existing conditions; subsidize premiums for lower income families; and provide for portability of coverage for individuals changing jobs or laid off.

The cost is $90 to $120 billion a year, Edwards said, and would be funded by eliminating tax cuts implemented by the Bush administration for those making over $200,000 a year.

Edwards also poked fun at the recent flap over the two $400 haircuts he obtained from a Beverly Hills stylist who came to him when he was on the run on the campaign trail.

"I want to be president because I want everybody to have the same chances I've had in this country. It's that simple…I'm not sure I want to live in a country where we have to spend $400 on a haircut," he said, drawing laughs and applause.

"So embarrassing," he said, pausing and adding, "There's a lady up here who says, 'Looks nice,' " drawing even more roars of laughter.

Read Monday's Courier and online updates for more details.

Contact Pat Kinney at (319) 291-1484 or Pat.Kinney@wcfcourier.com