The 2024 election could be decided by voters this fall based on economic conditions, but health care has unexpectedly turned out to be a central issue in the election.
The League of Women Voters encourages voters to consider both the presumptive presidential candidates’ views on health care and their proposed solutions to various challenges in the health care system when deciding which candidate to elect. are doing.
According to a new Kaiser Family Foundation poll, 74% of adults say unexpected medical bills are their biggest financial concern, ahead of worrying about paying food, gas, energy or rent. are doing. Nearly three in four adults (majorities of both parties) say they are worried about paying unexpected medical bills or other medical expenses.
Three issues appear to be the main focus on both sides of the presidential campaign: women’s health and access to abortion. Affordable price. and market competition.
Paul H. Keckley, a health policy analyst and editor-in-chief of The Keckley Report, summarized the health care positions of the Joe Biden and Donald Trump campaigns. As expected, there are significant philosophical differences between the parties’ views on the problem and their proposed solutions.
affordable price
Biden’s policies: This system is unaffordable because it is controlled by profit-seeking corporations. Regulations, including price controls, need to be strengthened.
President Trump’s policies: The system is overly regulated and lacks competition and price transparency, making it unaffordable for some.
Access to health insurance
Biden’s policies: This is necessary to access the services you need, and it must be accessible and affordable to everyone. In particular, she advocated the expansion of security for women and children after childbirth.
President Trump’s policies: It’s a personal choice. The role that the government should play is limited.
drug price
Biden’s policies: Pharmaceutical companies use this system to keep prices high. Price management is necessary to reduce costs.
President Trump’s policies: Drug prices are too high. Allowing imports and increasing price transparency are key to reducing costs.
medicare
Biden policy: It is the cornerstone of senior welfare and must be protected. But demand is growing and requires modernization (aka the value agenda) and additional revenue (taxes and spending).
President Trump’s policies: This is the foundation of health for the elderly and needs to be modernized through privatization. Waste and fraud are problems for its future.
competition
Biden’s policies: The federal government (Federal Commerce Commission, Department of Justice) should strengthen protections against vertical and horizontal integration that reduces choice and increases prices in all areas of health care.
President Trump’s policies: Current antitrust laws and consumer protections are sufficient to address consolidation in the healthcare sector.
price transparency
Biden’s policies: Necessary and essential to protect consumers. Expansion required.
President Trump’s policies: Necessary to promote competition in the market. You need to be more careful.
Affordable Medical Care Act
Biden’s policies: A necessary foundation for modernizing health systems that appropriately balances public and private responsibilities. Fix, repair, and expand grants.
President Trump’s policies: Unnecessary government takeover of the health care system is harmful and wasteful. Repeal and replace.
access to abortion
Biden’s policies: This is a fundamental right of women and should be protected by the federal government.
President Trump’s policies: It’s up to the state and it needs to be safe and rare. A 16-week national ban should be the norm.
Access to IVF treatment
Biden’s policies: This is a fundamental right that should be universally accessible and protected in every state.
President Trump’s policies: This is a complex issue that every state should consider.
The role of the federal government
Biden’s policies: The federal government must ensure equitable access and affordability. The private sector values profit over public interest.
trump policy: Value increases due to market forces.The state should play a bigger role
Which candidate do you think will improve the health of Americans? Who can best address our biggest economic obstacles? We will ask every voter clear questions about health care I encourage you to do that. Your vote is your voice.
Jean Phillips, MD, is the current chair of the Medical Committee of the League of Women Voters of La Plata. She is also Vice President of the La Plata Healthcare Improvement Coalition, which works to improve healthcare availability and delivery in La Plata County. For more information, please visit www.laplata.org.
