DAVENPORT -- The Democratic presidential candidates at Thursday's AARP forum touted their plans to address rising health care costs and provide financial security to all Americans.

Each candidate hoped to convince voters -- and the more than 2,300 people attending the debate in the Adler Theatre -- that his or her proposal would benefit them the most.

U.S. Sens. Joe Biden of Delaware, Hillary Clinton of New York and Chris Dodd of Connecticut were there, as well as former U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois declined to participate.

The debate was sponsored by AARP and Iowa Public Television. The forum focused on the issues of health care and financial security.

The candidates stressed that America needs universal health care.

"I think America doesn't have universal health care because the drug companies, the insurance companies and the lobbyists in Washington," Mr. Edwards said. "They stand between America and the universal health care that we need."

His universal health care plan involves requiring employers to either cover their workers or help pay for their private health insurance. He also wants to create regional health care markets to give every person the bargaining power to buy an affordable health plan.

To pay for his plan -- which would cost an estimated $90 billion to $120 billion annually, he would eliminate President George W. Bush's tax cut for those making more than $200,000 a year.

Mrs. Clinton's plan, unveiled earlier this week, would require all Americans to have health insurance. People could keep their existing insurance, or buy into the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program or a Medicare-like plan. She also would repeal President Bush's tax cuts to help cover the proposal's estimated $110 billion annual costs.

Moderator Judy Woodruff asked Ms. Clinton what she would do with the $25 billion in savings from modernizing health care delivery, such as having electronic health care records.

She said she wants those savings to go toward health care costs. Individuals and small businesses would also get health care tax credits.

Ms. Clinton said her plan would create more choices for people and call for shared responsibility. Individuals, businesses, health care providers, drug and insurance companies would have to change the way they do business, she said.

Most of the candidates agreed that preventive care should play a larger role.

Mr. Edwards made a small jab at Ms. Clinton, saying her universal health care plan was very similar to his.

Mr. Dodd pointed out that his plan would ban insurance companies from excluding people from coverage due to pre-existing conditions. "Mine's a national plan. Edwards has a regional plan," he said.

Mr. Richardson said everyone deserves the best quality health care.

Mr. Biden provided some of the lightest moments during the debate.

"My friend from New Mexico here, I'm saying he's a great governor. I'm saying he'll make a great Secretary of State," Mr. Biden said.

Mr. Richardson countered, "Why is Joe picking on me? My only point is I think we need somebody to manage health care. I've been able to do it as a governor. You know, Joe, you seem to be denigrating experience here."

"That's why I think you'd make a great Secretary of State," Mr. Biden replied.

Candidates also talked about how they would address the looming problems with Social Security funding.

Ms. Clinton said the government should stop taking money from Social Security to use for the Iraq war and tax cuts for the wealthy.

Mr. Biden said, "This president should be called Houdini. He went from a $5.8 trillion projected surplus to $3.7 trillion projected deficit. Only Houdini could do that -- or Bush."

When asked whether the retirement age should be increased, Mr. Dodd replied no.

Mr. Richardson said the economy -- which Social Security depends on -- needs to grow.

Mr. Edwards pointed out that people only pay Social Security taxes on their first $97,000 of annual income. He suggested those earning more should pay Social Security taxes on their entire annual earnings.