Dean's Near Universal Health Care, Built Piece by Piece

Vermont now has one of the nation's highest rates of health insurance coverage, providing care to virtually every child and more than 90 percent of adults. The national average is 83.7 percent.

Born in humiliating defeat, the seven-year odyssey established health care as Dean's signature issue and created a banner he has carried proudly as a Democratic candidate in the 2004 presidential contest. His handling of the issue also provides a glimpse into his executive style -- at times obstinate and combative; at others pragmatic.

His backers -- and some independent analysts -- said his Vermont record suggests Dean has the political savvy and persistence to drive a broad health care agenda for the nation and tackle other tough problems as well.