"My reforms are built on the pursuit of three goals: paying only for quality medical care, having insurance choices that are diverse and responsive to individual needs and restoring our sense of personal responsibility."
» Source: Johnmccain.com, Des Moines, Iowa, Oct. 11, 2007
Republican Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., pledges to reduce health
care costs without requiring Americans to have
health insurance or imposing a tax increase.
Here are some of his proposals for making health care more affordable:
Implement tax credits for insurance coverage. Individuals would receive a tax credit of $2,500 and families would get $5,000 if they have health insurance.
Reform medical malpractice laws to prevent frivolous lawsuits and exorbitant damage awards that inflate health care costs.
Encourage competitive pricing by safely reimporting drugs and getting cheaper, generic drugs into the U.S. market.
Supports alternative health care access, such as walk-in clinics set up in retail stores.
Establish telemedicine, community and mental health clinics in areas of sparse medical services and providers.
Make insurance policies portable from job to job and provide multiyear coverage. People will be able to buy health insurance nationwide, through the employer, insurance company, organization or other group of their choosing.
Encourage people to take responsibility for their physical well-being and support public health initiatives to discourage smoking and help curb the rise in obesity and diabetes.
*McCain's voting record on health care issues:
Voted
Topic
Date
NO
Expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D.
February 2006
YES
Increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics.
November 2005
YES
Negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drugs.
March 2005
NO
$40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit.
June 2003
YES
Allowing re-importation of prescription drugs from Canada.
July 2002
YES
Allowing patients to sue HMOs and collect punitive damages.
June 2001
YES
Funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit.
April 2001
NO
Including prescription drugs under Medicare.
June 2000
YES
Limiting self-employment health deduction.
July 1999
YES
Increasing tobacco restrictions.
June 1998
NO
Medicare means-testing.
June 1997
NO
Blocking medical savings accounts.
April 1996
N/A
Adopted the Republican Main Street Partnership agenda item, H.R. 1181 the Health Insurance Affordability and Equity Act, which would provide tax credits for those without employee health insurance.
May 2002
N/A
Adopted the Republican Main Street Partnership agenda item, H.R. 831/S. 621 the Long Term Care and Retirement Security Act, which would provide tax deductions for long-term care insurance.
May 2002
N/A
Adopted the Republican Main Street Partnership agenda item, H.R. 2706, The Medicare Telehealth Validation (MTV) Act, which would support telemedicine for underserved areas.
May 2002
N/A
Adopted the Republican Main Street Partnership agenda item, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit, which would utilize $350 billion for prescriptions for poor seniors.
May 2002
N/A
Rated 25 percent by the American Public Health Association, indicating an anti-public health voting record.
December 2003
Source: On the Issues
*Members of Congress sometimes vote on different versions of a bill. Voting yes or no on one doesn't mean they'll vote the same way on succeeding versions.
"My reforms are built on the pursuit of three goals: paying only for quality medical care, having insurance choices that are diverse and responsive to individual needs and restoring our sense of personal responsibility." 
