10-04-2008, 04:00 PM
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Moderator
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: small town in the Northwest- population 400 (+2)
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Where They Stand
As we get down to the wire these last few weeks, I thought it might be a good idea to discuss what the candidates have proposed for Americans in a variety of areas of government and social concern. Starting with health care, I have outlined the stance of each major candidate (couldn't find statements from Barr and others-but post if you have something!  ).
This covers just the top areas of concern. You can find more here
McCain
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McCain supports federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, but he also believes that clear lines should be drawn to reflect a refusal to sacrifice moral values and ethical principles for the sake of scientific progress.
He supports funding for other research programs, including amniotic fluid and adult stem cell research.
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I believe that every American should have access to quality and affordable care of their choice. I will provide American families with a $5,000 refundable tax credit ($2,500 for individuals) to purchase insurance of their choice.
I strongly support Americans keeping their existing coverage. If you want to keep your employer insurance, you can. But you also have the option to investigate other policies. If you already buy insurance on your own, you now get the same tax break as those who have employer insurance and can use the added income to invest in your business and grow. If you didn’t have insurance, you now have some help in buying insurance. When coupled with my reforms to spur innovation and flexibility in insurance options, this will permit everyone to have the opportunity to buy insurance.
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McCain strongly supports funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC plays an important role in promoting better health for Americans, and also strengthens homeland security by combating bioterrorism threats and pandemics, and promoting emergency preparedness.
We need to ensure that FDA has the proper resources to maintain its duty as the guardian of our nation's drug and food supply in an era of a growing global economy
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I strongly support FDA funding. We need to ensure that FDA has the proper resources to maintain its duty as the guardians of our nation’s drug and food supply in an era of growing global economy. FDA can also play an important role in promoting greater market competition, especially in drug sector, by having more streamlined processes for drug approval
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Obama
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Support
I believe we owe it to the American public to explore the potential of stem cells to treat the millions of people suffering from debilitating and life‐threatening diseases. Stem cells hold the promise of treatments and cures for more than 70 major diseases and conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic spinal cord injuries, diabetes, and more. As many as 100 million Americans may benefit from embryonic stem cell research.
As president, I would: and then he outlines a detailed plan
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My health care plan will overhaul the current health care system by guaranteeing coverage for every American through partnerships among employers, private health plans, the federal government, and the states. The plan both builds on and improves our current insurance system, which most Americans continue to rely upon, and leaves Medicare intact for older and disabled Americans. Under my plan, Americans will be able to maintain their current coverage if they choose to, and will see the quality of their health care improve and their costs go down. My plan also addresses the large gaps in coverage that leave 47 million Americans uninsured. Specifically, my plan will: (1) establish a new public insurance program, available to Americans who neither qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP nor have access to insurance through their employers, as well as to small businesses that want to offer insurance to their employees; (2) create a National Health Insurance Exchange to help Americans and businesses that want to purchase private health insurance directly; (3) require all employers to contribute towards health coverage for their employees or towards the cost of the public plan ; (4) mandate all children have health care coverage; (5) expand eligibility for the Medicaid and SCHIP programs; and (6) allow flexibility for state health reform plans.
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Increase funding for core programs at CDC to improve public health
I believe that the CDC plays a critical role in our nation’s health care and national security infrastructure, and I will ensure the CDC has the resources it needs to fulfill its public health mission.
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Current funding levels for FDA are not keeping pace with accelerated drug and device creation or the increasing globalization of food supplies and should be increased
The Food and Drug Administration is a critical protector of our food supply, and assures our medicines are safe and effective. It regulates a full quarter of the American economy. Yet the FDA is badly underfunded for its responsibilities. As our economy brings a rising tide of imported products, the FDA urgently needs expert staff and technology to more rigorously inspect imported food, drugs, and other products like pet food.
The FDA must also be freed from the Bush Administration's ideological straightjacket to protect the public health on the basis of sound science. As president, I will end the delays in approving RU‐486, the pressures to silence internal drug safety critics, and the attempts to protect drug companies from product liability.
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