John McCain is willing to address the fundamental problem: the rapidly
rising cost of U.S. health care.
Bringing costs under control is the only way to stop the erosion of
affordable health insurance, save Medicare and Medicaid, protect private
health benefits for retirees, and allow our companies to effectively
compete around the world.
Families should be in charge of their health care dollars and have more
control over their care. We can improve health and spend less, while
promoting competition on the cost and quality of care, taking better care
of our citizens with chronic illness, and promoting prevention that will
keep millions of others from ever developing deadly and debilitating
disease.
While we reform the system and maintain quality, we can and must provide
access to health care for all our citizens - whether temporarily or
chronically uninsured, whether living in rural areas with limited
services, or whether residing in inner cities where access to physicians
is often limited.
America's veterans have fought for our freedom. We should give them
freedom to choose to carry their VA dollars to a provider that gives them
the timely care at high quality and in the best location.
Controlling health care costs will take fundamental change - nothing short
of a complete reform of the culture of our health system and the way we
pay for it will suffice.
Reforms to federal policy and programs should focus on enhancing quality
while controlling costs.
Promote competition throughout the health care system - between providers
and among alternative treatments.
Make patients the center of care and give them a larger role in both
prevention and care, putting more decisions and responsibility in their
hands.
Make public more information on treatment options and require transparency
by providers regarding medical outcomes, quality of care, costs, and
prices.
Facilitate the development of national standards for measuring and
recording treatments and outcomes.
Reform the payment systems in Medicare to compensate providers for
diagnosis, prevention, and care coordination. Medicare should not pay for
preventable medical errors or mismanagement.
Dedicate federal research on the basis of sound science resulting in
greater focus on care and cure of chronic disease
Give states the flexibility to, and encourage them to experiment with:
alternative forms of access; risk-adjusted payments per episode covered
under Medicaid; use of private insurance in Medicaid; alternative
insurance policies and insurance providers; and, different licensing
schemes for medical providers.
Build genuine national markets by permitting providers to practice
nationwide.
Promote rapid deployment of 21st century information systems.
Support innovative delivery systems, such as clinics in retail outlets and
other ways that provide greater market flexibility in permitting
appropriate roles for nurse practitioners, nurses, and doctors.
Where cost-effective, employ telemedicine, and community and mental health
clinics in areas where services and providers are limited.
Foster the development of routes for safe, cheaper generic versions of
drugs and biologic pharmaceuticals. Develop safety protocols that permit
re-importation to keep competition vigorous.
Pass tort reform to eliminate frivolous lawsuits and excessive damage
awards. Provide a safe harbor for doctors that follow clinical guidelines
and adhere to patient safety protocols.
Protect the health care consumer through vigorous enforcement of federal
protections against collusion, unfair business actions, and deceptive
consumer practices.
John McCain believes that insurance reforms should increase the variety
and affordability of insurance coverage available to American families by
fostering competition and innovation.
Reform the tax code to eliminate the bias toward employer-sponsored health
insurance, and provide all individuals with a $2,500 tax credit ($5,000
for families) to increase incentives for insurance coverage. Individuals
owning innovative multi-year policies that cost less than the full credit
can deposit remainder in expanded health savings accounts.
Families should be able to purchase health insurance nationwide, across
state lines, to maximize their choices, and heighten competition for their
business that will eliminate excess overhead, administrative, and
excessive compensation costs from the system.
Insurance should be innovative, moving from job to home, job to job, and
providing multi-year coverage.
Require any state receiving Medicaid to develop a financial "risk
adjustment" bonus to high-cost and low-income families to supplement tax
credits and Medicaid funds.
Allow individuals to get insurance through any organization or association
that they choose: employers, individual purchases, churches, professional
association, and so forth. These policies will be available to small
businesses and the self-employed, will be portable across all jobs, and
will automatically bridge the time between retirement and Medicare
eligibility. These plans would have to meet rigorous standards and
certification.
John McCain Believes in Personal Responsibility
We must do more to take care of ourselves to prevent chronic diseases when
possible, and do more to adhere to treatment after we are diagnosed with
an illness.
Childhood obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure are all on the rise.
We must again teach our children about health, nutrition and exercise -
vital life information.
Public health initiatives must be undertaken with all our citizens to stem
the growing epidemic of obesity and diabetes, and to deter smoking.
John McCain on Combating Autism in America
As President, John McCain will work to advance federal research into
autism, promote early screening, and identify better treatment options,
while providing support for children with autism so that they may reach
their full potential.
Please click here to read more about John McCain's plan to combat
Autism in America.
To learn more about John McCain's Healthcare Plan
click here.
|
