Healthcare Reform: What Do McCain, Clinton, and Obama Have to Offer?

The state of the economy has voters in Indiana asking candidates the tough questions. According to Stats Indiana, the economy in Indiana has barely risen at 2% since 2006 compared to the nations 3.4%. Meanwhile, the states unemployment rate hangs slightly above the nations at 5.2%. The Indiana race has become crucial to both Democratic candidates. The states citizens, like their fellow Americans, are concerned about many issues. At the center of concern and debate are the rising health care costs. Cost which has been leaving over 40 million of our citizens without coverage. Within the next week Indiana will take part in the 'Covered the Uninsured Week'. With over 840,000 of Indiana's citizens uninsured, the awareness campaign is sure to bring added pressure to the Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton's campaigning.

The three main Presidential candidates have many questions to answer in Indiana, before the primary and for the big election. Each must prove their commitment to health care reform. Working class and poverty-stricken families want to know who has the best health care plan for their aging parents and growing children. Indiana is like every other state in the U.S, suffering from rising costs of oil, gas, and food. Indiana has a deep interest in the candidates' health care policies and their voices will be heard during the May 6 primary. Indiana has tried implementing several programs themselves to help those most at risk of illness. One of the public health programs, initiated by Governor Daniels, provides immunizations to all children statewide. The program, which is aimed at children with high risk or chronic illnesses, is a healthy example of insuring forms of health care for everyone.

The rate of those looking to Medicaid/Medicare and programs such as SCHIPS for health care in Indiana has risen yearly. The same rate of increase can be seen nationally for poor and middle class Americans. The approximate rates, state wide and nationally, has in some cases more than doubled. Many Americans and those in Indiana who are below poverty level still are not eligible for Medicaid or are eligible for limited benefits. Health care costs from employees continue to be in unreasonable reach for most Americans. According to 'Cover the Uninsured' "Nationwide, the amount employees pay for family coverage increased 30 percent from 2001 to 2005, while family policyholders' income increased just 3 percent over the same period." Those within the federal and state guidelines of poverty have dramatically changed in the last decade, leaving a larger dent in our health care system. States that provide high levels of Medicaid find themselves suffering. In response, states such as Indiana have to raise cost in other areas such as taxes. In the United States 40% of all whites are considered to be below poverty guidelines while 73% of African Americans are below the lines of poverty. The guideline is based on Americans who are at zero or negative when adding there net worth. Medical out of pocket expenses for Americans in Indiana and nationally has risen in the last five years. These rises limit medication and care that individuals need to keep or improve quality of life. Poor health and poor health care options also limit our work force. With better health options, many Americans would be able to contribute to the work force and economy of our country.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have many similarities within their Health care Plans. They both reflect a great deal of the Democratic Parties stand on how to change health care options for Americans. Clinton and Obama find their largest differences within funding options for the health care change. Affordability and quality are keywords in both Democratic candidates' speeches. Both Obama and Clinton want a health care system that allows Americans a greater choice in health care options, including affordable medications. Both candidates also want to insure that affordability does not develop a reduction in the quality of care. Clinton and Obama also want to insure that every American receives the best care, despite pre-existing illnesses, with guaranteed eligibility guidelines. Barack and Hillary both want to insure job portability, which is important in an economy that is causing many Americans to change jobs more frequently. With job portability, Americans will have the same health care plan in place despite job changes. Obama and Clinton also support re-importation and both will allow the Feds to negotiate pricing for Part D and other Federal programs. Both Democratic plans call for across the board coverage for children. They also want better security for older Americans faced with choices between health and food. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton support health care benefits with a design modeled after Federal Employee Health Benefit Plans.

The differences in Barack Obama and Hillary Clintons plans are in how each candidate plans to fund their changes. Clinton would require a government mandate that requires every American to be given health coverage. Obama does not support such a mandate. For Obama, the answer is in rising certain tax dollars. However, where those dollars come from is not always consistent or clear. Non-proponents, such as Clinton herself, say that taxing in the way Obamas' plan entails will only create more unbalance in the economy. As well, opponents believe the tax cuts could not pay for Obamas' health care plan while keeping the care balanced and long term. Clinton feels her mandate will not only help the ill, but will help with prevention for those Americans who only seek health care when they are sick. Hillary Clinton would give small businesses tax credits to help pay for insurance. Barack Obama has not offered such a credit but would allow 'some' small employees to not have to pay a premium. However, Obama has not defined the 'some' in his statements. Clinton also would roll back tax cuts given by the Bush administration for Americans making $250,000. Hillary Clinton's plan would allow Americans to keep their existing coverage or opt to change that coverage to a new private or public plan. She also feels Americans should have access to the same private health plans as those provided to members of Congress.

There are many other similarities and differences among the Democratic candidates. One of the most consistent similarities in both campaigns is that neither candidate truly supports a universal health care system. Each candidate has come close enough in definition to attract some voters. Yet, neither Democratic primary candidate has formed a plan that would develop a single payer model where the government insures everyone. Despite opposition and many still unanswered questions by both candidates, based on their career and policies, the democratic hopefuls are strong health care advocates.

The Republican candidate for President has a different view of the America health care system. Though McCain conceded that changes are necessary, he does not feel such drastic democratic changes are what is needed. The Republican does not look to the employers, but to the individual to take a larger part in their health care financing and choices. He proposes a tax credit of $2500 and $5000 for families to choose their own health care plan. McCain supports health savings accounts, which are tax preferred accounts used to pay insurance premiums and other health costs. McCain's plan would keep employee bases health care options in place. This action, McCain feels, will drive health care cost down. Many Democrats argue this system would still leave 47 million Americans without insurance. McCain, who once fought insurance companies, is now working with them to develop health care options, leaving many to question his motives.
McCain's health care plan calls for disease management and wellness programs. Like his Democratic counter parts, McCain would allow re-importation of drugs from Canada. He would also encourage faster approval for generics, giving Americans cheaper and more diversified medical choices. John McCain would also produce health care reform allowing health care providers and insurance companies to compete on the open market. This plan option, the McCain camp feels, would drastically lower cost and provide better opportunities to choose the right doctor for each individual. McCain has said he would work with states to help create high-risk pools to help those with pre-existing illnesses that have more difficulty finding insurers.

VOTING RECORDS OF THREE CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENT (healthcare):

Hillary Clinton: In 2001 Clinton voted yes on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages, voted no on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. In 2002, the Democrat voted yes on allowing re-importation of Rx drugs from Canada. She also voted in 2003 for yes to allow states to make bulk RX purchase and was rated 100% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record. Most recently in 2007, Clinton voted yes to allow Medicare D to negotiate RX prices.
"My health care program will cover everyone. I don't leave anybody out. It is a universal system. It will build on the congressional plan that provides health care for members of Congress, their staffs, government employees, and therefore it is not a new system. It is not government-run."-Hillary Clinton

Barack Obama: In 2001, Barack Obama voted yes increase funding for AIDS treatment and prevention and for increased funding for RX benefits, community health, and CHIPS. Obama voted yes to expand enrollment periods for Medicare Part D in 2006 and in 2007, he voted yes on requiring negotiated RX prices for Medicare part D in 2007. This year Obama voted no on means testing to determine Medicare Part D premium. He cosponsored the Healthy Kids Act of 2007. Obama also sponsored and helped pass the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Act of 2007. Obama, while a Senator in Illinois has helped create cervical cancer task force, helped promote and arrange greater prenatal and premature births services. Obama also worked to help provide greater opportunities for all women in Illinois to obtain breast and cervical cancer screenings.
"The problem is not that folks are trying to avoid getting health care; the problem is they can't afford it. My plan emphasizes lowering costs..."-Barack Obama

John McCain: While in office, Republican John McCain voted yes on increasing tobacco restrictions in 1998. He voted yes in 2001 to allow patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages and to fund the GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. In 2003 McCain was Rated 25% by APHA, indicating what they considered an anti-public health voting record. In 2005, John McCain voted no on including prescription drugs under Medicare.
"The problem with health care in America, it's not the quality. It is the inflation..."- John McCain

Each candidate has something to offer in reforming America's health care system. However, for this middle class, Native American, working woman Hillary Clinton has a better plan and stronger background for the job. She has consistently been dealing with, implementing, discussing, and fighting for the health care rights and needs of Americans, especially children. Though not all of her policies may encourage Americans to vote for her, health care issues could strengthen her candidacy. With her strength in drawing women voters, much attention will continue to be on health care. Instinctively whether it is within the home, at the playground or in the politics of our nation, when it comes to women voters; what is at the best interest of their children and aging parents can make or take a vote from a candidate. In the long run, the Democratic health care plan shows the best promise for the health and productivity of this nations children.

*To find out more about Medicaid in Indiana visit In.govn.gov. You can obtain stats, information, guidelines, and applications. National Inf can be found at The U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services.
*For more information on all the issues for each candidate, visit On the Issues.
*For more info on Indiana Health Care and their programs (such as 'Cover the uninsured) visit the IPHCA website.
*You can also find out more information and in depth health care planning for each candidate, by visiting each of their websites: Hillary ClinBarack, arack Obama, and John McCain.