Pace Paw Print

Media Credit: nytimes.com McCain presents his speech on health in hopes of obtaining votes.

Media Credit: emich.edu Huckabee speaks about the various changes he will make in the health care system.

Republican presidential candidates, John McCain and Mike Huckabee generally believe that the issues with health insurance do not involve universal health care.

During McCain's speech on Oct 11, 2007, he presented many facts that must be changed within the health care system. Currently, "2.2 trillion dollars" is being spent on healthcare. This is equivalent to 16 cents for every dollar. This number is too high and contributes to inflating costs. If this is not stopped by 2015, these numbers will double.

Furthermore, the amount of money currently spent on Medicare exceeds the amount of income from payroll taxes, and instead is being cashed in from an IOU trust fund. As a result, Medicare will be declared bankrupt by 2019.

To make matters worse, retirees' social security checks are being used to pay for Medicare. And by 2017, less money will be coming into security compared to the amount going out. As president, McCain's goal is to fix these issues that he calls an "impending storm."

Another issue at hand that McCain believes is a core problem with the health care system is the cost. The price of health care continues to rise substantially as the years pass on. As president, McCain vows to put an end to this.

McCain's plan includes allowing American health insurance companies to compete around the world. With more people in its reach, insurance companies will be able to compete internationally and make more money. If this happens, rates could be lowered and in turn become more affordable.

In addition, McCain would like to see families in more control of their overall health and health dollars. In doing so, Americans with chronic illness will be better taken care of. Furthermore, stress of prevention will also be implemented to prevent the occurrences of diseases.

Like other presidential candidates, McCain wants all citizens to have health insurance regardless of social background or previous medical conditions. While doing this, the quality of insurance will be maintained.

To maintain quality and control costs, competition will be promoted between insurance groups and alternative treatments. The public will be informed of various treatment options available along with the cost, medical outcome, and quality of care they will receive. Overall, patients will have more control and responsibility with medical care.

Other hopeful presidential candidate, Huckabee, claims that the health care system is just that-a "health care" system instead of a "health" system.

As opposed to all other candidates, including democrats, Huckabee does not believe that a solution to any health issues includes universal health care as this may lead to higher taxes for funding. Instead of supplying all citizens with health care, they will be provided with preventive care. Huckabee would rather prevent illnesses that spend up to "80%" of health care costs on chronic diseases, which is happening today.

Huckabee states that this country will gladly pay $30,000 for a diabetic to have his or her foot amputated but will not pay for the shoe that would save his or her foot. Instances such as these would change through preventive health and a crackdown on the health system. In order to do so, Huckabee will persuade pioneers to reduce costs and "improve free marker for health care services."

Health care will be made more affordable by improving service, record keeping, transferring insurance from job to job, creating health savings for all, and more. Lower income families will no longer receive tax deductibles; as an alternative tax credits will be issued.

A risk for many citizens involves losing health care when losing a job. According to Huckabee, however, jobs do not need health insurance-people do. Therefore, fear of losing insurance over a job should be eliminated. If this occurs, other businesses will be relieved of burdens as well. Businesses complain that more money is being spent on health care which has cost a significant rise for compensation.

While both candidates represent the Republican government, McCain and Huckabee have opposing views on certain issues such as universal health care. However, all candidates,including the Democratic side, would love to see a drop in the cost of health care.

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