Tomorrow is Super Tuesday, and voters are faced with an arsenal of issues to mull over before the big day. But which issue will be instrumental in their decision? While the weakening economy has taken center-stage, health and long-term care still remain major topics of concern among Americans, with close to 80% of American voters saying they want to see long term care included in the health care proposals offered by the presidential candidates. We took a look at the democratic candidates’ stances on long-term care, but what do the candidates overall health care plans look like?

Here’s a quick overview of the leading candidates’ health care plans:

John McCain, Republican

Stated Goal: Provide access to affordable health care for all by paying only for quality health care, having insurance choices that are diverse and responsive to individual needs, and encouraging personal responsibility.

How? Remove the favorable tax treatment of employer-sponsored insurance and provide a tax credit to all individuals and families to increase incentives for insurance coverage; promote insurance competition; and contain costs through payment changes to providers, tort reform and other measures.

McCain’s Health Plan is Located At: http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/19ba2f1c-c03f-4ac2-8cd5-5cf2edb527cf.htm

Mitt Romney, Republican

Stated Goal: Provide access to affordable quality health insurance for every American and slow the rate of inflation in health care spending.

How? Expand and deregulate the private health insurance market, make changes to the tax treatment of health insurance, and promote state-based innovation.

Romney’s Health Plan is Located At:

http://www.mittromney.com/Issues/healthcare

Hillary Clinton, Democrat

Stated Goal: Affordable and high-quality universal coverage through a mix of private and public insurance.

How? Every American required to have coverage, with income-related tax subsidies available to make coverage affordable. Private and public plan options would be available to individuals through a new Health Choices Menu operated through the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). Coverage through employers and public programs like Medicare continues.

Clinton’s Health Plan is Located At:

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/feature/healthcareplan/

Barack Obama, Democrat

Stated Goal: Affordable and high-quality universal coverage through a mix of private and expanded public insurance.

How? Require all children to have health insurance, and employers to offer employee health benefits or contribute to the cost of the new public program. Create a new public plan, and expand Medicaid and SCHIP. Create the National Health Insurance Exchange through which small businesses and individuals without access to other public programs or employer-based coverage could enroll in the new public plan or in approved private plans.

Obama’s Health Plan is Located At: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/

You can see a breakdown of every candidate’s healthcare platform here:

Republicans: http://www.health08.org/R-Side-By-Side_1_31_08.pdf

Democrats: http://www.health08.org/D-Side-By-Side_01_31_08.pdf

As well as their stance on social security.

Filed under: Health & Safety, Politics