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VoteGopher | Compare McCain and Obama | Healthcare

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06/30/2009 3:00 PM

Issue Homepage - Healthcare

PRESIDENT OBAMA: ACTIONS IN OFFICE

Named healthcare as one of three areas "critical to our economic future" for which he will propose large increased spending
Has said that he wants to cut health care costs and cover all Americans, but let people keep their current healthcare if they so desire
Will work with Congress to create a large-scale health care reform proposal rather than send Congress a plan of his own
Signed into law an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program
Signed economic stimulus package containing money to fund preventive care and incentivize a shift to electronic medical records

CANDIDATE OBAMA

ELECTION 2008

Proposed to retain employer-based insurance system, but mandate that large and mid-sized employers offer health care or pay into a public plan
Supported mandating that all children, but not all adults, receive health insurance
For adults without employer-based insurance, proposed to create a National Health Insurance Exchange with competition between regulated private plans and a new public plan
Proposed new public plan would have subsidized premiums for people making less than 4 times the poverty level
Supported mandating that all private plans must guarantee eligibility for everyone, and that those with pre-existing conditions should not pay higher rates
Proposed to control costs with information technology, preventive care, and government absorption of some catastrophic insurance costs

CANDIDATE McCAIN

ELECTION 2008

Supported mandating that all children, but not all adults, receive health insurance
For adults without employer-based insurance, proposed to create a National Health Insurance Exchange with competition between regulated private plans and a new public plan
Proposed new public plan would have subsidized premiums for people making less than 4 times the poverty level
Supported mandating that all private plans must guarantee eligibility for everyone, and that those with pre-existing conditions should not pay higher rates
Proposed to control costs with information technology, preventive care, and government absorption of some catastrophic insurance costs

DEMOCRATS

IN CONGRESS

Support expanding affordable insurance coverage, but disagree on how it should be done
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) generally supports President Obama's approach, but would add a mandate that all adults receive coverage once there are "affordable" options for all
Some liberals such as Ted Kennedy support extending Medicare to everyone, but will likely support an Obama or Baucus plan as a compromise
Some moderate Democrats support the Wyden-Bennett plan to end the employer-based system and mandate private insurance for all
All voted in favor of SCHIP expansion

REPUBLICANS

IN CONGRESS

Most support creating health savings accounts and increasing portability of plans.
Tend to oppose increasing government involvement in coverage and market regulation
Strongly oppose mandates for coverage
A few have signed on to the Wyden-Bennett plan to end the employer-based system and mandate private insurance for all
Split on expanding SCHIP -- some supported it, some said it was too costly

ISSUE BACKGROUND

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