Barack Obama

Barack Obama is a U.S. Senator from Illinois. Before being elected to the Senate in 2004, he served for 7 years as an Illinois State Senator. Barack Obama was born August 4, 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Senator Obama's Health Care Plan

Senator Obama's health insurance reform plan promises to revamp the way Americans view their health.

Obama would create the National Health Insurance Exchange, a nationwide marketplace where insurance companies sell private health plans. The federal government will regulate the Exchange so prices stay competitive and fair. Public coverage will be administered through the Exchange, as well.

Senator Obama also will require that insurance companies accept all applicants regardless of health history or pre-existing conditions.

All Children Must Be Covered

Obama's plan will not mandate that all Americans have health insurance, but all children up to age 18 will be required to have coverage. Under his plan, Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) will be expanded to provide insurance for more children.

Employers must also offer coverage for their employees. If they choose not to insure their employees, they will be required to pay a percentage of their payrolls toward a national health plan. Some small businesses will be exempt from this law.

Preventive Care, Quality Care, and Cost

A major part of Obama's plan puts a strong focus on preventive care and improving public health. He will require that all preventive care services – such as doctor office visits and physical exams – are covered by every health plan. Senator Obama will also emphasize disease management programs.

To improve the overall quality of health care in the U.S., Obama will change the way health care providers are paid. Doctors and hospitals will be paid based on the quality and effectiveness of the care they provide. He will also invest in electronic health records to improve the system's efficiency and cut down on administrative costs.

Obama's plan will cost between $50 – $60 billion. To help fund the plan, he will roll back President Bush's tax cuts for Americans earning more than $250,000 a year. Senator Obama will also reduce tax exemptions for large corporations, and reinstate a form of the estate tax.

Sources

BarackObama.com: Creating a Healthcare System that Works
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/

New York Times: Obama Calls for Wider and Less Costly Health Care Coverage
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/30/us/politics/30obama.html

Get health insurance quotes in 2 easy steps.