Elizabeth Edwards on Tuesday said Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s health care plan would allow insurers to cherry pick individuals they want to cover, leaving those with cancer, diabetes and other diseases without coverage.

Edwards has been a frequent critic of McCain’s health care policies. McCain proposes to tax the health benefits on workers, which now are largely exempt, and create a refundable health insurance tax credit of $5,000 for families and $2,500 for individuals. McCain says his plan would give families more choice and make health insurance more affordable.

A report released Tuesday by the Center for American Progress Action Fund said that many people would end up paying higher taxes under McCain’s plan. Edwards serves as a senior fellow with the group, a nonprofit that is not allowed to endorse candidates.