John McCain and Barack Obama plan to take on the issue of domestic policy in tonight's third and final presidential debate at Hofstra University in New York. While the economic situation continues to be the dominant issue, Americans remain increasingly concerned about health care.
In a September CBS News/New York Times survey, 50 percent of voters polled said that there are some good things in the health care system, but fundamental changes are necessary to make it work better. In contrast, 35 percent said the U.S. health care system has so much wrong with it that the governement needs to focus on a complete overhaul. And, only 14 percent agree that minor changes are needed to make it work better.
While Obama and McCain bounce back and forth on the issue of health care, HIV and AIDS prevention hasn't been addressed recently. Overall, both candidates support President Bush's global AIDS initiative. While Bush received much bi-partisan praise for PEPFAR, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the amount reserved to combat the epidemic in the U.S. is lacking. Washington has spent nearly $10 billion per year to fund the fight overseas but less than 10 percent of that amount has been spent at home.
Has the U.S. HIV/AIDS epidemic been mostly forgotten by the mainstream? A closer look into the finer points of each candidate's strategy shows some distinct differences.
Barack Obama's campaign is proposing a plan that "strengthens employer coverage, makes insurance companies accountable and ensures patient choice of doctor and care without government interference." This statement is meant to counter fears about government-run health care with higher taxes or letting the insurance companies operate without rules.
Obama on HIV/AIDS in America
- Implement a National HIV/AIDS Strategy
- Fix the Nation’s Health Care System
- Bring Medicaid Coverage to Low-Income, HIV-Positive Americans
- Fight Disparities in Minority Communities
- Improve Quality of Life for Those Living with HIV/AIDS
- Promote AIDS Prevention
- Assure Adequate and Safe Housing for Those Living With HIV
- Expand Funding for Research
- Expand Access to HIV/AIDS Testing for Pregnant Women
John McCain remains a bit more ambiguous about a plan to combat the spread of HIV and AIDS in America. In fact, it's very difficult to find any facts on the McCain—Palin campaign Web site at www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/. Instead, the Republicans approach the issue of health care as a matter of reforming the rising cost of U.S. health care. According to the campaign, the plan to bring costs under control as "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."
McCain on AIDS in America
- Supports abstinence programs to prevent the spread of HIV.
- Wants guaranteed access health plans for those with re-existing conditions.
- Supports greater competition for among drug companies to reduce consumer costs.
- His plan would provide a $2,500 tax credit for individuals to purchase health care.
Tuesday's CBS Evening News coverage of "How the candidates' proposals would affect your community" takes a closer look into the personal struglle of one woman who is HIV positive and how current policy affects her life.
Video: America's Forgotten Epidemic — CBS Evening News
The CDC estimates that one in 20 people living in Washington, D.C., is HIV positive. Astoundingly, in the capital of the world's wealthiest country, the incidence of HIV/AIDS is two-and-a-half times that of Port au Prince, the capital of Haiti, one of the world's poorest countries, according to CBS News. Sphere: Related Content
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