Health Care: 2008 contenders' views

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FactCheck.org analysis of 2007 primary debates

FactCheck.org analysis of 2008 campaign ads

Saving Lives and Saving Money: Transforming Health and Healthcare, published Sept. 2003

Our Plan For America

The Contenders, by Laura Flanders et al.

The Unique Voice of Hillary Clinton

FactCheck.org analysis of 2007 campaign ads

From Power to Purpose: A Remarkable Journey of Faith and Compassion, by Sam Brownback

Quit Digging Your Grave With a Knife and Fork, by Mike Huckabee

Hillary's Choice, by Gail Sheehy

FactCheck.org analysis of 2008 primary debates

A Woman in Charge, by Carl Bernstein

Lessons Learned the Hard Way, by Newt Gingrich

The Revolution: A Manifesto, by Ron Paul, published April 2008

A Mormon in the White House, by Hugh Hewitt

Mitt Romney: The Man, His Values and His Vision, by Lisa Ray Turner and Kimberly Field

Man of the People, by Paul Alexander

For Love of Politics: Bill and Hillary Clinton: The White House Years, by Sally Bedell Smith

From Hope to Higher Ground, by Gov. Mike Huckabee

Four Trials

A Call to Service

The Audacity of Hope, by Barack Obama

Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy, by Amanda Carpenter

A Time to Lead: For Duty, Honor and Country, by Wesley Clark & Tom Carhart

It Takes A Village, by Hillary Clinton

Barack Obama in His Own Words, by Barack Obama, edited by Lisa Rogak

The Myth of a Maverick, by Matt Welch

In Mortal Danger, by Tom Tancredo

Living History, by Hillary Rodhan Clinton

Kerry: The Complete Biography By the Boston Globe

Inventing Al Gore, by Bill Turque

Hillary Clinton: The Inside Story, by Judith Warner

Barack Obama: This Improbable Quest, by John K. Wilson

Her Way, by Jeff Gerth & Don Van Natta

God and Hillary Clinton: A Spiritual Life, by Paul Kengor

Condi vs. Hillary: The Next Great Presidential Race

Citizen McCain, by Elizabeth Drew

Character Makes a Difference, by Mike Huckabee

Living Beyond Your Lifetime: How to be Intentional about the Legacy You Leave, by Mike Huckabee

Between Worlds, by Bill Richardson

(click a picture above for excerpts or other books and debates about Health_Care)

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Chuck Baldwin on Health Care

Constitution Party nominee for President; Reform Party nominee in several states

Click here for 2 full quotes by Chuck Baldwin OR click here for Chuck Baldwin on other issues.

Freedom of choice for all healthcare decisions. (May 2008)
No subsidies for HMOs; no forced vaccinations. (May 2008)

Bob Barr on Health Care

Libertarian nominee for President; Former Republican Representative (GA-7)

Click here for 5 full quotes by Bob Barr OR click here for Bob Barr on other issues.

Voted YES on allowing suing HMOs, but under federal rules & limited award. (Aug 2001)
Voted YES on subsidizing private insurance for Medicare Rx drug coverage. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
Voted YES on establishing tax-exempt Medical Savings Accounts. (Oct 1999)
Collect data on birth defects and present to the public. (Apr 1998)

Joe Biden on Health Care

Democratic Sr Senator (DE); nominee for Vice President

Click here for 24 full quotes by Joe Biden OR click here for Joe Biden on other issues.

Modernize, simplify & expand health insurance. (Nov 2007)
Help medical students find ways to finance their tuition. (Oct 2007)
Start paying for universal coverage with $100B in redundancy. (Sep 2007)
Rethink healthcare by focusing on prevention. (Sep 2007)
Start with catastrophic insurance and insuring all kids. (Aug 2007)
Got tested for AIDS after blood transfusion; no shame in it. (Jun 2007)
Voted NO on means-testing to determine Medicare Part D premium. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on allowing tribal Indians to opt out of federal healthcare. (Feb 2008)
Voted YES on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility. (Nov 2007)
Voted YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Apr 2007)
Voted YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. (Feb 2006)
Voted YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics. (Nov 2005)
Voted YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug. (Mar 2005)
Voted YES on $40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Jun 2003)
Voted YES on allowing reimportation of Rx drugs from Canada. (Jul 2002)
Voted YES on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages. (Jun 2001)
Voted NO on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on including prescription drugs under Medicare. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on limiting self-employment health deduction. (Jul 1999)
Voted YES on increasing tobacco restrictions. (Jun 1998)
Voted NO on Medicare means-testing. (Jun 1997)
Voted YES on blocking medical savings acounts. (Apr 1996)
Rated 100% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record. (Dec 2003)
Establish a national childhood cancer database. (Mar 2007)

Alan Keyes on Health Care

American Independent nominee for President; 2004 Republican challenger for IL Senate

Click here for 18 full quotes by Alan Keyes OR click here for 3 older headlines OR click here for Alan Keyes on other issues.

Euthanasia violates unalienable right to life. (Oct 2007)
Consumer in charge; no government-controlled health care. (Oct 2007)
Before bringing back family doctor, bring back the family. (Sep 2007)
Oppose mandated health insurance and universal coverage. (Sep 2007)
Protect disabled and vulnerable people like Terri Schiavo. (Sep 2007)
Insurance reward for avoiding tobacco, alcohol, obesity. (Sep 2007)
Give people generic drugs information to save their money. (Oct 2004)
People should take care of their own health. (Oct 2004)
Sensibly cap malpractice awards. (Sep 2004)
Health care choice will save money for long-term health care. (Jan 2000)
AIDS is a moral crisis based on licentious behavior. (Jan 2000)
Patient rights & HMO rights are not federal responsibility. (Jan 2000)
Allocation of research funds not a political decision. (Jan 2000)
Health priorities: research; cost control; moral effects. (Jan 2000)
Let market determine health payments, not bureaucrats. (Dec 1999)
Right to die usurps the Declaration and God. (Jan 1999)
Universal health ID�s are a threat to liberty. (Jul 1998)
Focus on prevention and finance health care accordingly. (May 1996)

Gloria La Riva on Health Care

Party for Socialism and Liberation nominee for President

Click here for 2 full quotes by Gloria La Riva OR click here for Gloria La Riva on other issues.

Free quality health care for all. (Jan 2008)
Create a universal healthcare system. (Jan 2008)

John McCain on Health Care

Republican nominee for President; Senior Senator (AZ)

Click here for 45 full quotes by John McCain OR click here for John McCain on other issues.

FactCheck: McCain's $5,000 health tax credit would be taxed. (Aug 2008)
Large tax credit for families to buy their health care. (Jul 2008)
Harness market competition for comprehensive reform. (Feb 2008)
Preserve quality of health care by individual responsibility. (Dec 2007)
Give individuals $2500 refundable tax credits for healthcare. (Oct 2007)
Control health costs so manufacturers stay competitive. (Oct 2007)
No mandated universal system; no mandated insurance coverage. (Jun 2006)
We should be able to reimport drugs from Canada. (Jan 2006)
Include a health savings account in healthcare reform. (Jan 2006)
The problem with health care in America is inflation. (Jan 2006)
Supports tax-free medical savings accounts & tax credits. (Nov 2004)
1989: No mandatory catastrophic Medicare coverage. (Jan 2004)
1993: To socialize healthcare would be to ruin it. (Jan 2004)
Greater consumer access to generic drugs. (May 2002)
Higher taxes on cigarettes. (Jan 2000)
Matching funds for seniors citizens� prescription drugs. (Dec 1999)
Expand health insurance to 11 million uninsured children. (Dec 1999)
Keep health care promises to aging veterans. (Nov 1999)
Address powerlessness when faced with health care crises. (Jul 1999)
�Patient rights� means value human life over dollars. (Jul 1999)
Expand medical savings; community health; & tax deductions. (Jul 1999)
Patient Rights: access; MDs over HMOs; grievance process. (Jul 1999)
Allow paying extra for choice of doctors & care. (Jul 1999)
Full doctor-patient discussion even when it costs HMO. (Jul 1999)
Supports patient rights; regulate nicotine as a drug. (Jul 1998)
More tax-deductible health costs; limits on malpractice. (Jul 1998)
Campaign Finance Reform
Favorite cause: Cleft-palate surgery for children. (Oct 2007)
Voting Record
Allow appealing HMO decisions externally & in court. (Jul 1999)
Voted NO on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. (Feb 2006)
Voted YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics. (Nov 2005)
Voted YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug. (Mar 2005)
Voted NO on $40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Jun 2003)
Voted YES on allowing reimportation of Rx drugs from Canada. (Jul 2002)
Voted YES on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages. (Jun 2001)
Voted YES on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001)
Voted NO on including prescription drugs under Medicare. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on limiting self-employment health deduction. (Jul 1999)
Voted YES on increasing tobacco restrictions. (Jun 1998)
Voted NO on Medicare means-testing. (Jun 1997)
Voted NO on blocking medical savings acounts. (Apr 1996)
Tax credits for those without employee health insurance. (May 2002)
Tax deduction for long-term care insurance. (May 2002)
Support telemedicine for underserved areas. (May 2002)
$350 billion for prescriptions for poor seniors. (May 2002)
Rated 25% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record. (Dec 2003)

Frank McEnulty on Health Care

New American Independent Party nominee for President

Click here for the full quote by Frank McEnulty OR click here for Frank McEnulty on other issues.

Healthcare costs burden the middle class. (Jul 2008)

Cynthia McKinney on Health Care

Green Party nominee for President (Former Rep., D, GA-4)

Click here for 18 full quotes by Cynthia McKinney OR click here for Cynthia McKinney on other issues.

Supports single-payer universal health care. (Feb 2008)
Resources for health needs, pre-natal & post-natal care. (Jan 2008)
Take insurance companies out of health-care equation. (Jan 2008)
Affordable health care is a matter of national security. (Dec 2007)
Against rationing or voucher-based system of insurance. (Dec 2007)
Voted NO on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on allowing suing HMOs, but under federal rules & limited award. (Aug 2001)
Voted NO on subsidizing private insurance for Medicare Rx drug coverage. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
Increase funding for AIDS treatment & prevention. (Jan 2001)
More funding for Rx benefits, community health, CHIPs. (Jan 2001)
MEDS Plan: Cover senior Rx under Medicare. (Jan 2001)
Provide mental health services for older Americans. (May 2005)
Make health care a right, not a privilege. (Nov 1999)
Supported funding women's health needs. (Jul 1999)
Supported funding older women's health. (Jul 1999)
Supported funding Prenatal and Postpartum Care. (Jul 1999)
Supported funding Family and Children's Coverage. (Jul 1999)

Brian Moore on Health Care

Socialist nominee for President

Click here for 3 full quotes by Brian Moore OR click here for Brian Moore on other issues.

National health care system for all citizens. (Apr 2008)
National single-payer healthcare system. (Dec 2007)
20 years work experience in HMO/ Managed Care industry. (Dec 2007)

Ralph Nader on Health Care

2008 Independent for for President; 2004 Reform nominee; 2000 Green nominee

Click here for 21 full quotes by Ralph Nader OR click here for 4 older headlines OR click here for Ralph Nader on other issues.

For single-payer; all major candidates oppose it. (Feb 2008)
Billing fraud and abuse costs $200B. (Feb 2008)
Single-payer health care plan over for-profit care. (Feb 2008)
3.5% payroll tax to fund universal healthcare. (Sep 2002)
Enforce fair drug prices if sponsored by govt research. (Oct 2000)
Medicare prescriptions covered under universal health care. (Sep 2000)
Price restraints on drugs; limit profiteering. (Sep 2000)
Opposes assisted suicide laws for terminally ill. (Aug 2000)
Cradle-to-grave health care better than Clinton�s plan. (Jul 2000)
Use Canadian system as a model for US. (May 2000)
Health care is a universal human right. (May 2000)
Recast health care in a non-profit mode. (Mar 2000)
Keep commercialism out of maternity wards. (Aug 1999)
Make medicines affordable in Third World. (Jul 1999)
Challenge the monetization of HMOs. (Jul 1999)
HMO review procedures must be independent of HMOs. (Jul 1999)
HMO plan: accountability, doctor-driven, independent review. (Jul 1999)
Big Pharma blocks selling generic drugs to Third World. (Dec 1998)
Criticizes �sweetheart deal� for big tobacco. (Nov 1998)
Let FDA regulate nicotine as an addictive drug. (Mar 1996)
Tobacco is the world�s worst air pollutant. (Oct 1994)

Barack Obama on Health Care

Democratic nomine for President; Junior Senator (IL)

Click here for 79 full quotes by Barack Obama OR click here for Barack Obama on other issues.

Give more help to those denied a life of dignity & respect. (Jul 2008)
Guaranteed health care for anyone who needs it. (Jul 2008)
End-of-life self-medication ok; euthanasia by others not ok. (Apr 2008)
Hillary's plan must either be enforced, or leave out people. (Feb 2008)
The problem with health care is about affordability. (Jan 2008)
Subsidies to people who can't afford care--not single payer. (Jan 2008)
Bring GOP & Dems together to make haelthcare affordable. (Jan 2008)
FactCheck: Reducing obesity would save $18B, not $1T. (Dec 2007)
Reforms in prevention and drug price negotiation save money. (Dec 2007)
Tackle insurance companies on reimbursement system. (Oct 2007)
Help young people deal with the cost of medical education. (Oct 2007)
Morally wrong that terminally ill must consider money. (Sep 2007)
FactCheck: Correct that insurance lobbying cost $1B. (Sep 2007)
National smoking bans only after trying local bans. (Sep 2007)
Reform failed in '90s because of drug company lobbying. (Jul 2007)
Take on insurance companies; drive down health care costs. (Jun 2007)
Address minority health needs by more coverage & targeting. (Mar 2007)
Health care tied to balancing costs and taxes nation wide. (Jun 2006)
Allowing seniors to bulk purchase will save taxpayers' money. (Oct 2004)
Allow prescription drug re-importation. (May 2004)
AIDS
Use whatever works with AIDS, including teaching abstinence. (Apr 2008)
We need condom distribution to deal with the scourge of AIDS. (Aug 2007)
Homophobia prevents talking about HIV/AIDS. (Jun 2007)
Got tested for AIDS, with wife, in public, in Kenya. (Jun 2007)
Curing AIDS must be all-hands-on-deck effort. (Mar 2007)
Lead global fight against AIDS. (Jul 2004)
Universal Coverage
Ban insurance companies from discriminating against the sick. (Aug 2008)
I've got a health plan and a plan to get it implemented. (Jun 2008)
AdWatch: My plan costs $2,500 less per family than Clinton's. (Apr 2008)
FactCheck: Unclear if Obama's plan costs less than Clinton's. (Apr 2008)
Universal health care means anyone who wants it can get it. (Feb 2008)
Insurers are happy to have a mandate; issue is affordability. (Feb 2008)
Voluntary universal participation, like in Medicare Part B. (Feb 2008)
Mandating kids' insurance ok; mandating adults has problems. (Feb 2008)
Young adults up to age 25 can be covered under parents' plan. (Feb 2008)
My plan does more than anybody to reduce costs. (Feb 2008)
My health plan does not leave 15 million people uncovered. (Feb 2008)
Adults will get health care as they can afford it. (Feb 2008)
AdWatch: punishing uninsured families doesn't make sense. (Feb 2008)
FactCheck: Hillary's plan does mandate; but so does Obama's. (Feb 2008)
No one turned away due to illness or pre-existing condition. (Feb 2008)
Buy private insurance via National Health Insurance Exchange. (Feb 2008)
Against enforcement mechanism for mandating insurance. (Jan 2008)
FactCheck: Yes, Obama favored single-payer, despite denial. (Jan 2008)
FactCheck: No, US costs are not twice as much as others. (Jan 2008)
AdWatch: Pressure insurance & drug companies to change. (Jan 2008)
FactCheck: OPPORTUNITY to insure all, but no GUARANTEE. (Jan 2008)
AdWatch: Don't make it illegal not to have health care. (Jan 2008)
Being poor in this country is hazardous to your health. (Dec 2007)
Problem isn't mandating coverage, but affording it. (Nov 2007)
FactCheck: Coverage plan might leave 8.5 million uninsured. (Nov 2007)
Cautious incremental plan offers choice & subsidy. (Nov 2007)
Added 20,000 children to Illinois healthcare. (Oct 2007)
Government healthcare like members of Congress have. (Sep 2007)
Increase competition in the insurance and drug markets. (Aug 2007)
National Health Insurance Exchange for private coverage. (Aug 2007)
Health plan cuts typical family's premium by $2,500 a year. (Jun 2007)
Give people the choice to buy affordable health care. (Jun 2007)
National insurance pool & catastrophic insurance. (Apr 2007)
Employers are going to have to pay or play. (Mar 2007)
Need political will to accomplish universal coverage. (Mar 2007)
Healthcare system is broken without lifetime employment. (Oct 2006)
The market alone can't solve our health-care woes. (Oct 2006)
Focus on the affordability of a broad healthcare plan. (Jan 2006)
Crises happen in our lives and healthcare is necessary. (Oct 2004)
Believes health care is a right, not a privilege for the few. (Sep 2004)
Will expand health coverage & allow meds to be re-imported. (May 2004)
Ensure access to basic care. (Jul 1998)
Voting Record
No need to mandate coverage; just let people afford it. (Jul 2007)
Voted NO on means-testing to determine Medicare Part D premium. (Mar 2008)
Voted YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Apr 2007)
Voted YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. (Feb 2006)
Voted YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics. (Nov 2005)
Voted YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug. (Mar 2005)
Increase funding for AIDS treatment & prevention. (Jan 2001)
More funding for Rx benefits, community health, CHIPs. (Jan 2001)
Improve services for people with autism & their families. (Apr 2007)
Establish a national childhood cancer database. (Mar 2007)
Preserve access to Medicaid & SCHIP during economic downturn. (Apr 2008)

Sarah Palin on Health Care

Republican Governor (AK); ; nominee for Vice President

Click here for 7 full quotes by Sarah Palin OR click here for Sarah Palin on other issues.

Signed up as organ donor; Alaska leads the states. (Apr 2008)
Health care must be market-and business-driven. (Jan 2008)
Take personal responsibility for personal health & all areas. (Jan 2008)
Doctors should manage health care, not bureaucracies. (Jan 2008)
Personal responsibility & choices key to good health. (Jan 2008)
Flexibility in government regulations to allow competition. (Nov 2006)
More affordable health care via competition. (Nov 2006)

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