Where the candidates stand on key health care issues
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| KEY ISSUES | McCain | Obama |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Goal | Make health care more affordable for all Americans | Reduce cost of health care so all Americans can afford it |
| Mandates for Coverage | No | Medium-size and large Employers required to cover employees or contribute to public fund. Families required to provide coverage for their children. |
| Expansion of Federal programs | Not specified | Expansion of Medicaid and SCHIP |
| Tax Incentives to pay for coverage | Provide Tax credits of $2500 for individuals and $5000 for families | Would provide unspecified "federal subsidies" to those who need them to afford coverage |
| Key areas to Reform | Purchasing of
insurance across state lines, importation of drugs from outside U.S., malpractice
reform, availability of cost and quality data, changes in Medicare Health insurance program administered by the U.S. government covering people age 65 and over or who meet other special criteria reimbursement system |
Health insurance and pharmaceutical industries, availability of cost and quality data, malpractice reform |
| Investments in Health Care system | Research Focused on Chronic disease, Health Education for Children, Public Health Initiatives | Information Technology, Preventive care |
