The Health Care Debate

Health care reform has become one of the major issues in American politics — and it's the number one domestic issue among voters. While the United States is one of the world leaders in health care quality and innovation, it is also the only wealthy industrialized nation that does not provide health care for all of its citizens. The U.S. also spends more per capita on health care than any other nation in the world.

As of 2007, there are nearly 47 million uninsured Americans. Many of them are ineligible for public assistance, but can't afford the cost of private coverage. Some qualify for public assistance but don't know they're eligible. Others have been turned down for private coverage because of pre-existing health conditions or poor health history.

Both Republicans and Democrats agree that the U.S. health system needs to be fixed. But that's where their agreement ends.

The health care and insurance debate shows the fundamental difference between Republicans and Democrats: should we put more faith in our government, or in the free market?

• Democrats believe the federal government should step in and make health insurance more affordable. At least one candidate would abolish private health insurance entirely.

• Republicans support free market reforms. They believe providing tax cuts will allow more people to pay for their own health insurance and enter the private insurance market. This will lead to more competition between insurance companies and drive down rates.

The path that the U.S. health care and insurance system takes is up to the voters. That's why it's important to understand all the presidential candidates' health care reform proposals and platforms.

In the end, it's you who decides which candidate will do the best job as president to fix the American health care system.

Sources

GoHealth: Health Care: America's Number One Domestic Issue
http://www.gohealthinsurance.com/blog/coverage/entry/20070912

Kaiser Family Foundation: Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: Election 2008 - August 2007
http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/h08_pomr083007pkg.cfm

Commonwealth Fund: Slowing the Growth of U.S. Health Care Expenditures: What Are the Options?
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=449510

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