Chicago Tribune
Written by The Chicago Tribune staff and news services

Where the Candidates Stand on Health Care

May 30 , 2007 – With so many candidates for the 2008 Presidential election talking about healthcare reform, it can quickly get confusing to parse out what plan each favors. Below is an extremely concise snapshot of each current candidate's main position. For further detail, visit the candidate’s official website.

DEMOCRATS

Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden: Wants to expand health insurance for children and for catastrophic care, look to states for ideas on moving toward universal coverage.

New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton: Seeks national consensus before proceeding with universal health-care plan. Has offered proposal to rein in health costs and is expected to offer other plans aimed at insuring all Americans.

Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd: Sponsored bill to expand coverage for young, old and poor. Favors universal coverage.

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards: Wants to achieve universal health coverage by 2012 with expanded federal health insurance, family tax credits, and coverage requirements on employers, insurance companies and individuals. Would increase taxes to payfor program's cost of up to $120 billion a year.

Former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel: Supports a government-funded national health-care voucher plan.

Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich:Favors national health insurance program covering medical, dental, mental health and long-term care, as well as prescription drugs.

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama: Pledges to insure all children and provide better access for adults by lowering costs through investment in technology and expiration of tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. Stops short of mandating universal coverage.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson: After numerous reforms, all Americans would be required to obtain coverage.

REPUBLICANS

Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback: "Market-based solutions, not government-run health care."

Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore: Says some Republican foes are too liberal on health care.

Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani: "Market-driven" expansion of coverage, not government- led universal coverage.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee: Favors market solutions, state innovation. Opposes universal government coverage.

California Rep. Duncan Hunter:Supported health coverage expansion through tax breaks, not government-led universal plan.

Arizona Sen. John McCain: Has a record of promoting prescription drug coverage for elderlyand expanded insurance for children, but not universal coverage.

Texas Rep. Ron Paul: Says government policies restrict free market and keep health-care costs high.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney: As governor, signed health-care law aimed at ensuring universal coverage through a mix of subsidies, sliding scale premiums and penalties for those who do not get insurance.

Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo: Wants market reforms instead of more federal spending to expand health coverage.

Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson: Supports system centered on preventive medicine, rather than curative. Proposed requiring states to organize purchasing pools among uninsured.

Source: Tribune staff and news services, candidates’statements