How Will Health Insurance Look for the Next Four Years?
In a recent guest blog post on ThinkProgress.org's "The Wonk Room," Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, challenged the proposed health care plan of presumptive Republican Presidential nominee John McCain.
In her post, Edwards pointed out that because McCain's plan doesn't require insurance coverage for Americans with preexisting health conditions, neither she nor McCain would likely be able to afford medical insurance without the "financial resources [they] have."
Edwards is battling breast cancer, and McCain has dealt with melanoma in the past.
So, do you know where the candidates stand on the issue of health insurance? Do you know which candidate would be the best for those who aren't able to work because of a personal injury or who have preexisting and costly health conditions?
Total Injury has outlined some of the basic positions of the three main presidential candidates on the issues of medical coverage.
| Issue | John McCain | Hillary Clinton | Barack Obama | Ralph Nader |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposed Method of Expanding Health Insurance Coverage | Promoting competition between insurers, thus lowering insurance costs; promoting preventive care among citizens; tax credit for families struggling with insurance costs | Tax credits for working families to finance health care packages; tax benefits for small companies that provide medical insurance for employees; strengthening of Medicaid and CHIP | Expansion of eligibility under Medicaid and SCHIP; federal oversight of insurance providers to ensure fairness | Introduction of single-payer health insurance, also known as "universal healthcare" |
| Guaranteed Coverage for Those with Preexisting Conditions? | NO: such conditions would violate the free market | YES: all those who apply and pay premiums are eligible to receive coverage | YES, and for all children | YES, and for everyone else |
| National Portability of Coverage? | YES: insurance companies would be allowed to practice nationwide, thus creating a "national market." | YES: job changes will not come with the risk of losing coverage | YES: job changes will not come with the risk of losing coverage | YES |
| Other Details | McCain's plan would decrease the tax break employers receive for providing health coverage to workers, thus giving individuals "greater choice" about their protection. He is reportedly still "hammering out" the details of his plan. | Clinton's tax breaks for small businesses could help create more attractive jobs in the United States. She would make coverage plans available to Congress members available to every American. | Young adults would have expanded coverage options, and could remain on their parents' insurance plan until age 25. Obama would also offer plans comparable to those offered to Congress members. | Nader's program would offer publicly funded health insurance to all Americans. |
Resources estimate that 47 million Americans lack health coverage, whether because a personal injury has prevented them from working, their current jobs don't pay well enough to cover insurance costs, or for some other reason.
The 2008 Presidential election should prove a hotbed for debate about the future of healthcare in the United States, and Total Injury will be here with the latest details on the candidates' positions on this ever so important issue.