Access and affordability dominate the debate over health care in the upcoming presidential election, but both candidates sharply disagree over whose health care plan can deliver on those promises.
Sen. John Kerry has made a comprehensive health care plan a centerpiece of his domestic policy agenda and has promised it will be the first bill he sends to Congress if elected. President Bush's plan, while more limited in scope, aims to fulfill the same basic goals as Kerry's at less cost.
According to Politics Prof. Eric Patashnik, most experts agree that two problems dominate the health care agenda: "exploding" health care costs and the large number of Americans who do not have health insurance.
"Everyone is facing this in the public and private sector," Patashnik said.
Virginia Republican Party spokesperson Shawn Smith said Bush's plan would address those concerns.
"The president's plan reduces the rising cost of health care and provides affordable coverage to those who need it most," Smith said.
Bush's campaign platform includes many items which address health care, but three stand out: using Health Savings Accounts to allow low-income families and individuals to pay for health care, assisting providers of long-term care and continuing to reduce prescription drug costs.
Kerry's plan also is designed to increase health care access in a wide variety of areas, Virginia Democratic Party spokesperson Laura Bland said.
Kerry's "number one priority is the issue of access to health care," Bland said.
To that end, Kerry's plan would extend health care coverage to 95 percent of the country and to every child, reduce prescription drug prices and slash family premiums.
Despite differences in scope and cost, Patashnik doubted whether either plan would be successful.
"It's not clear to me that either candidate's plans would achieve their goals," Patashnik said.
Another issue in the debate is Bush's record on health care over the past four years. Most of the debate centers on the Medicare Act of 2003, which Bush touts as reforming Medicare and reducing prescription drug costs for seniors but which opponents deride as too expensive and a giveaway to drug companies.
Bland accused the president of not recognizing problems with health care.
"We have seen a president who, for all intents and purposes, has turned his back on people who have problems with access to health care," Bland said.
Smith said Kerry's plan would actually hurt efforts to improve health care.
"He has a $1.5 trillion health care plan that would take away choices without reducing the cost of health care," Smith said.
The impact of health care on the campaign, however, is unclear. A survey of likely voters by The Washington Post found that 10 percent considered health care the most important issue, far fewer than the percent who rank the economy or national security as number one.
Patashnik said Kerry was trying to elevate health care as an issue, but was running into difficulty.
"Kerry's had a very hard time getting voters to focus on domestic concerns," Patashnik said.
Read More
Senior VP for Operations Colette Sheehy looks back at her career at the University
By Brandon Kile | 3 hours agoSheehy’s role involved overseeing the work of around 2,500 University employees, including custodians, architects and engineers.
Will the Faculty Senate’s no-confidence vote impact the U.Va. Board of Visitors?
By Brandon Kile | 19 hours agoIn many cases, a no-confidence vote may soon be followed by steps taken to remove the leadership that may be acting against the wishes of a community.
Two senior U.Va. Health leaders quietly take new jobs without formal announcement
By Ford McCracken | 2 days agoKibbe’s departure marks the end of an ongoing battle between U.Va. Health employees and their senior leadership.
