Health care is an important issue since health care costs are rising and the number of Americans with adequate coverage is fast declining. Two extreme health care models are federally mandated universal health care and free market based private health care.
Advocates for federally mandated universal health care state that health care is a basic human right and should be guaranteed to all citizens. It will also bring costs down since people will be more inclined to go for preventative care.
Supporters of market-based approach argue that increased competition and choice will drive down cost and force health care providers to innovate to stay in business. The federal government may provide subsidies to help people that cannot afford private insurance. Moreover, healthy people do not have the bear the burden of people that make poor lifestyle choices such as smokers, alcoholics and drug abusers.
Highest priority along with ending the war in Iraq
Convene a national gathering of key stakeholders from labor, business, health care and government within first 90 days to develop a universal coverage plan.
Four elements to plan: cover all children; reduce healthcare costs through better preventative care, reducing inefficiencies, and negotiating lower prescription drug prices; provide reinsurance for catastrophic cases; and, reform the insurance industry.
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Has voted consistent with his position
YES to include prescription drugs under Medicare
YES to block plan that would allow tax-deductible medical savings accounts
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Choose from dozens of health care plans that are available to members of Congress, or opt into a public plan - working families get tax credits to help pay their premium
Tax credits to small businesses that provide healthcare to their employees
Insurance companies cannot deny coverage if you have a pre-existing condition
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Voting Record consistent with her position.
YES to allow the federal government to negotiate with prescription drug manufacturers for the best possible prescription drug prices
YES to require Secretary of Health & Human Services to negotiate discounts with pharmaceutical manufacturers
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Require businesses to either cover their employees or help finance their insurance
Make insurance affordable by creating new tax credits, expanding Medicaid and SCHIP, reforming insurance laws, and taking innovative steps to contain health care costs
Create regional "Health Care Markets" to increase bargaining power and choice
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Voting Record is consistent with position.
YES to include prescription drugs under Medicare
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Universal, Single-Payer, Not-for-Profit health care system
All Americans receive a government-issued health insurance card and receive health care services at any health care facility without paying premiums, deductibles or co-payments
Current for-profit system wastes billions of dollars on administration and bureaucracy - new system would not cost Americans any more due to reduced costs
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Voting Record is consistent with his position.
NO to allow taxpayers to create a tax-exempt account for paying medical expenses (Medical Savings Account)
YES to require Secretary of Health & Human Services to negotiate discounts with pharmaceutical manufacturers
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Create a national health plan to allow individuals without medical coverage an option to purchase coverage similar to that available to members of Congress
Employers not providing health coverage to employees will be required to contribute to national plan
Mandatory coverage for children
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Voting Record is consistent with his position
YES to require Secretary of Health & Human Services to negotiate discounts with pharmaceutical manufacturers
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