Health Care

Employer-based system. Employers will have the same incentive to provide health insurance as they do today since they will continue to deduct the cost of health insurance they provide to employees.

Affordability. John McCain believes in making health care more affordable for all Americans by ensuring that drug companies, doctors, insurance companies, hospitals and every other aspect of the health care system competes vigorously to respond to their needs.

Access & Choice. John McCain believes that every American should have access to quality and affordable coverage of their choice, including keeping their current coverage. American families – not government bureaucrats or insurance companies – should choose the coverage that best meets their unique needs.

Portability & Security. John McCain believes in allowing every American to keep their health insurance as they move from job to job or job to home, and protecting Americans' economic security from unforeseen health events by expanding coverage and savings options.

Quality. Promoting quality through research and development of new treatment models. Promoting wellness, investing in technology and empowering Americans with better information on quality.

Restore Control To The Patients Themselves. Health care should be available to all and not limited by where you work or how much you make. Families should be in charge of their health care dollars and have more control over care.

Make It Easier For Individuals And Families To Obtain Insurance. Families should be able to purchase health insurance nationwide, across state lines.

Reform The Tax Code To Offer More Choices Beyond Employer-Based Health Insurance Coverage. While still having the option of employer-based coverage, every family will receive a direct refundable tax credit - effectively cash - of $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families to offset the cost of insurance. Families will be able to choose the insurance provider that suits them best and the money would be sent directly to the insurance provider.  Those obtaining innovative insurance that costs less than the credit can deposit the remainder in expanded Health Savings Accounts.

No one should be denied access to quality and affordable coverage simply because of a pre-existing condition. As President, John McCain will work with governors to develop a best practice model that states can follow – a Guaranteed Access Plan or GAP – that would reflect the best experience of the states to ensure these patients have access to health coverage. There would be reasonable limits on premiums, and assistance would be available for Americans below a certain income level.

Achieve savings in Medicare without reducing benefits or eligibility. He has proposed common-sense reforms that will not only put Medicare on a path of financial stability but ensure access to quality care for millions of Americans. Some of the policies proposed by the McCain plan include:

• Promote payment reform that allows us to move away from the current fragmented and volume-based service to a system which rewards coordinated and quality focused care.
• Eliminate Medicare fraud and abuse to ensure that nearly $60 billion a year, almost 10 percent of total Medicare spending, that goes to line the pocket of criminals instead of providing quality care for seniors.
• Ensure that drug premiums for the wealthiest Americans are not being subsidized by the middle class.
• Promote a new generation of treatment models that better manage chronic care conditions while rewarding prevention and wellness.
• Greater use of Health IT and medical homes to promote greater co-ordination of care.
• Reduce drug costs by allowing greater use of generics (including bio-generics).

For more information, please visit: http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/19ba2f1c-c03f-4ac2-8cd5-5cf2edb527cf.htm