Presidential candidates on health care

There are many important issues facing our presidential candidates. One of my top issues is their position on health care in the US. I am in favor of a universal health care plan deserving of the citizens of the richest nation on earth.

So far, Chris Dodd (D) has the best health care plan IMO. The following is from his website ... ChrisDodd.com

* The Dodd plan will create a health insurance marketplace called Universal HealthMart that is based on, and parallel to, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP).

* Individuals and businesses will contribute to Universal HealthMart based on their ability to pay.

* Coverage will be portable -- insurance purchased in Universal HealthMart will follow individuals.

My comment: Pefect. Simple. Easy to implement because it already exists in every state in the US for Federal employees.

As for the other Democratic candidates:

Biden (D) wants to insure everyone 18 and under which is not acceptable.

Hillary Clinton (D) isn't sure how she's going to attack this issue, she is waiting on the public to give her ideas. Again, not acceptable.

John Edwards (D) speaks of a type of universal health care, but with no specific details. Not acceptable.

Mike Gravel (D) wants to issue vouchers based on projected needs. I don't quite understand how this will work and until I do, it is unacceptable.

Dennis Kucinich (D) has already introduced a bill for a not for profit health care system, which sounds ok, but I really don't think he will make it to the White House.

Barack Obama (D) claims that we can drive down the costs of health care with reform to insurance companies and pharmaceuticals. I think IMHO, that these types of bills would not pass quickly enough to help anyone in the near future.

Bill Richardson (D) wants to insure everyone under 5, and has some other suggestions, but no real plan IMHO.

Now for the Republican candidates (I saved them for last because they don't really offer us any hope on health care reform IMO) ...

Sam Brownback (R) wants a consumer driven insurance market. That still doesn't help those who can't afford health care so it is not acceptable.

Rudy Giuliani (R) prefers market based health care. Not acceptable.

Mike Huckabee (R), a baptist minister who bought his win in the Iowa straw poll, has the same idea as Giuliani.

Duncan Hunter (R) - same as Giuliani and Huckabee.

John McCain (R) is working on a plan, but is not in favor of universal health care, so IMHO he doesn't take this matter serious enough.

Ron Paul (R) - same as Giuliani, Huckabee and Hunter.

Mitt Romney (R) - same as Giuliani, Huckabee, Hunter and Paul.

Tom Tancredo (R) is also for market based health care, with state and federal help for those who need it. He is also against helping the illegal aliens with health care.

My comment: First we need to stop the migration of illegal aliens into our country. Once they're here, we can't just let them suffer and die because they are here illegally, or can we? I guess they don't deserve any better treatment than legal American citizens are receiving.

As I read over the health care postions of the candidates, I couldn't help but notice that many of the Republicans echo the same idea which apparently has been mandated to them by the Republican Party, which is just outrageous.

As an Independent voter, I vote on issues and the man, not the party.

As a Christian, I don't believe the President has any sway when it comes to pro-life matters, and therefore do not consider a candidate's position on that matter.

I want the best man or woman for the job of the President of the US. They don't have to share my beliefs on every issue, just the ones that are of extreme urgency to the citizens, and the issues where the President can actually make a difference.

You can read the full statements of the candidates concerning health care at
the New York Times website.