Senator Barack Obama (D)

Ideas for Health Care Reform

Barack Obama's health care plans are to establish a new public health insurance program, available to all Americans who do not have access to health insurance through their employer and also do not qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP.

Obama's plan would cost an estimated $50 billion to $65 billion per year, and would be paid for by letting Bush’s tax cuts expire on those making more than $250,000 per year.

Key Elements to Obama's Health Care Plan include: 
 

Creation of a public health program similar to the health insurance plan offered to federal employees

Create a National Health Insurance Exchange Program(ex.  the Massachusetts insurance Connector) for health insurance customers to shop among private health plans.

Require employers to share the cost of providing health insurance coverage to their employees

Require all children to have health care coverage.

Expand SCHIP and Medicaid eligibility.

Allow all U.S. states to continue implementing their own health care reform initiatives.

Reduce the cost of health coverage through computerized record-keeping, importation of prescription
drugs and greater use of generic drugs, and emphasize prevention of disease rather than cure.
 

Learn more about the other 2008 Presidential Candidates' health care reform positions.