The Most Divisive Word in American politics-Healthcare

One of the most dividing issues of political parties is on the issue of Healthcare.It's an issue that rarely, if ever, gets agreed upon. It splits Democrats and Republicans, especially when it comes to cost and access.In this week's blog I will be highlighting the issue of healthcare and where Democrats and Republicans stand.

The Democratic parties view on health care is based around the idea that "accessible, affordable,high quality health care"is at the heart of the American promise.And that Americans should have the security that comes with adequate health care.They also have the belief that no one should face financial destitution because of being ill or injured.In other words, "no one should have to choose between taking their child to the doctor or paying rent." Democrats are supporters of laws that prevent insurance companies from denying viable coverage to Americans simply because of pre-existing medical conditions or charging women based on gender.Another fact that may or may not be knowledgeable to some, is that they are supporters of young Americans who are just starting on the workforce, to stay on their parents health care plans. Senior citizens are also highly considered. They believe in preserving medicare and strengthening medicare. Medical research was also taken into consideration, where the Democratic party stand in support of stem cell research and other medical research.Based on the parties ideals, they are in support of tax credits to businesses who offer affordable, quality healthcare.As well as tax credits to Americans who are approaching 65 and not working so that they could continue to benefit from quality healthcare.Below, are the Democratic presidential candidates platforms on healthcare:

Hillary Clinton:

Clinton defends the Affordable Healthcare Act and its reliance on private insurance, but she would make changes to protect people from co-payments and deductibles that have been rising faster than their wages.Hillary would create a new tax credit  of up to $5,000.00 to families to help them pay high out-of-pocket medical costs.She would also require insurance companies to cover three visits to the doctors each year,before people start paying to meet their deductible.

Bernie Sanders:

Mr.Sanders bold call for “a fundamental transformation of the American health care system” would resemble plans  in many other industrialized nations that many times achieve better health outcomes at lower costs. he wants a single-payer,Medicare-for-all healthcare program.He also supports an expansion of Medicare, whereas the failure of states currently to expand Medicare through Obamacare is estimated by experts to contribute to more than 7,000 deaths a year because of people's lack of adequate assistance.Sanders is also in support of 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave.

Both candidate's stand against the sometimes exorbitant prices for prescription drugs that manufacturers set without any proper justification.

The Republican party believes in a patient-centered healthcare system which is based on free markets, fostering competition and driving health care costs down. They share the belief that a healthcare system ran by the government  will reduce the efficiency of healthcare and the standard of care, compromise the patient-physician relationship and increase healthcare waiting periods.They support the idea of individuals being able to manage their own healthcare costs through medical savings accounts and flexible savings.The ability for those who have flexible saving accounts to be able to rollover their unspent funds each year instead of losing it, is one of their beliefs as well.Republicans believe that medical savings accounts should be offered to all workers without restrictions, as permanent within tax law.As-a-whole,the Republican Party believe that the more freedom the people have in choosing their healthcare and managing their own healthcare costs, the more effective the healthcare system will be.The Republican party believes that Medicare should be designed to give older citizens more options instead of a one-size-fits-all program.They believe the administrative complexities must be reduced within Medicare,so that the providers will be able to financially continue for patients.Below, are two Republican presidential candidates platforms on health care:

Ted Cruz:

Ted Cruz is for repealing Obamcare, and believes socialized medicine is and would be, a disaster for our country.He is pro allowing people to purchase insurance across state lines that will essentially drive down prices and expand the availability of low-cost insurance.He would also de-link health insurance from employment, so that you will not lose your health insurance if you lose your job.He would also expand health savings accounts.But he has not addressed how the uninsured would be covered if Obamacare is repealed.

John Kasich:

Kasich would like to replace the Affordable Healthcare Act  with a health care system that would be market-driven.He would lie to shift us back to a quality healthcare system not a quantity health care system.In an interview with NPR back in July 2015 he illustrated his healthcare plan like this ,"with the primary care doctor being the shepherd to shepherd us through our health care needs, with insurance companies and hospitals working together to share profits, to share the gains they make by keeping people healthy rather than treating them on the basis of how they're sick.” He also opposes paid maternity leave, instead he would like to implement alternatives in flexibility like allowing women to work from home online, because when they are on leave they fall back on experience level.John Kasich also supports the purchase of healthcare from other states and would give incentives for people to live a healthy lifestyle.


The current Democratic and Republican presidential candidates and the political parties, are at two ends of the spectrum when it comes to healthcare policy and what is the best viable option for the American people. When it comes to healthcare it seems that there really is no one-size-fits-all option for everyone.The questions really is what is the best option for the largest amount of people?