Campaign '08: How Do Candidates' Health Reform Plans Measure Up?

The two major presidential candidates agree on at least one thing: health care reform must be a high priority for the next administration. But when it comes to the details, much of the common ground between Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama falls away.

In their 2007 document on political responsibility, "Faithful Citizenship," the U.S. bishops said any efforts to reform the health care system must respect human dignity and protect human life; meet the needs of the poor and uninsured, including pregnant women, unborn children, immigrants and other vulnerable populations; protect the conscience rights of Catholics and Catholic institutions; and provide effective, compassionate care for those with HIV and AIDS.

"All people have a right to health care regardless of where they work, where they come from or how much money they have," said Kathy Saile, director of the Office of Domestic Social Development in the bishops' Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development, in a commentary on health care and "Faithful Citizenship."

"Quality health care should be accessible to every person as a part of basic respect for human life and dignity," she added.

Obama and McCain both say the health care reform plans outlined on their campaign Web sites and in speeches would reduce the number of uninsured Americans, rein in escalating costs, improve health care quality and performance, keep those with pre-existing conditions from being dropped by their health plans, and encourage some degree of state flexibility.

Obama's plan would require employers to either offer "meaningful coverage" to their workers or pay a percentage of their payroll into a new public program. Every child in the U.S. would be covered and health insurers would be required to keep young adults up to age 25 on their parents' plan through family coverage.

The centerpiece of the proposal advanced by McCain is a health care tax credit for families and individuals, paired with the removal of favorable tax treatment for employer-financed health insurance. Anyone who does not use the entire tax credit amount to purchase health insurance could deposit the remaining funds into a health savings account for use in another year.

The health care debate is a very personal one for people like Robin Salerno of Wolcott, N.Y. Recently diagnosed with adrenal cancer, Salerno earns $17,000 a year working six days a week as a cook and waitress for a local diner.

But she has no health insurance and makes too much money for Medicaid, the federal-state program, or Family Health Plus, another public health insurance program in New York state for adults under 65. Salerno might qualify for Healthy NY, an insurance program for small businesses and workers whose jobs don't offer insurance, but services for her cancer might not be covered for a year.

"If I wait a year, I might not be around," the 50-year-old Salerno told the Catholic Courier, diocesan newspaper in Rochester, N.Y.

The Catholic Health Association, whose member hospitals and other health care institutions often serve as a safety net for the poor and uninsured, has offered its own "Vision for U.S. Health Care," against which any health reform plan can be measured.