Kamala Harris has moved her health policy away from Medicare for All and more in line with the expansion of the Affordable Care Act. Donald Trump said he had concepts It is a health plan. Nearly 80 percent of voters think healthcare is at least very important in the upcoming election, according to a recent survey Gallup poll.

What would the candidates propose for Medicare, Medicaid, abortion, and employer-based private insurance, and what important element are they missing?

medical help

Medicaid is the government’s joint federal and state safety net insurance program. The Trump administration will likely aim to reduce Medicaid funding, stricter eligibility criteria, and possibly repeal the Affordable Care Act. This will mean less entitlement, lower enrollment and less spending. The Harris administration would focus on expanding coverage, increasing access and promoting equity. Traditional debates over taxation, rights and costs are divided along party lines

is this $805 billion Is the price tag justified?

Scope does not equal access. In my practice, I am fortunate to provide care to patients regardless of their financial ability, but treating Medicaid patients is much more challenging. Doctor visits are often limited to an annual basis, they have fewer pre- and post-operative resources, and they face greater barriers to imaging and obtaining medications. Managed care increases administrative burden. Large registry data from Andrew Chan, MD, a neurosurgeon at Columbia University, shows that Medicaid patients experience this. worse outcomes after spine surgery. While Trump advocates reducing funding, Harris supports equality.

If Medicare pays a doctor in Alabama $1 For a procedure, Medicaid pays $0.72 while private insurance pays $1.43. This makes arithmetic care delivery difficult.

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Private Insurance

in the United States, 57 percent of Americans under age 65 have insurance through their employers.

This system, which stemmed from World War II-era wage laws, inhibited real wage growth as health insurance costs rose annual.

Trump’s intentions to repeal the ACA and his plan to replace it remain unclear. Harris withdrew Medicare for AllA position he co-sponsored with Bernie Sanders in 2020. Since he skipped the primary, he had no need to take up the issue from the Left this cycle.

Improved subsidies in the ACA marketplace pose a more pragmatic issue. Democrats repealed the previous income cap and increased the amount of subsidies in 2021. These subsidies will expire in 2025. Harris advocates making them permanent and with a price tag of $335 billion. Trump has largely remained silent, but many Republicans support ending the program.

Regardless of your views on the ACA, it’s important to note that health insurance is now more expensive than ever. There may be some bending in the cost curve, but average cost Health insurance for a family of four was $23,968 in 2023. UnitedHealth Group’s net earnings in 2023 were as follows: $22.4 billionIt increased by 11.2% compared to last year.

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Abortion

If you prefer greater access to abortion, vote for Harris. If you want laws to restrict abortion passed at the state level, vote for Trump.

From a policy perspective, Harris, Roe v. He advocates returning the Wade case. 60% of voters. Trump’s policy emphasizes making abortion an issue at the state level. Trump’s opinion on the issue has fluctuated; currently supports 15-week limits in a broader direction public awareness about abortion itself. Harris’ previous record on abortion was more progressive and less aligned with America. He supported the Reproductive FACT Act, which required pregnancy centers to inform clients about abortion services (overturned on First Amendment grounds in 2018), and voted against measures to protect babies who survive abortion procedures and restrict abortions after 20 weeks. Only 22% of Americans support abortion in the third trimester.

Harris supports eliminating the filibuster to enact Roe, but that depends on Democrats’ control of Congress. Trump seems mostly comfortable delegating abortion laws to the states.

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Medicare

Both Trump and Harris perpetuate illusions about Medicare. Trump claims he’s protecting it, but his budget proposals suggest otherwise. Harris’ plans for new entitlements financed through increased taxes and claimed efficiency appear fiscally untenable. Medicare faces bankruptcy Until 2036.

Harris has recently been advertising home health care coverage with a price tag of $200,000. 40 billion dollars a year. Mia Ives-Rublee and Molly Weston-Williamson of the Action Center for American Progress situation it will also revolutionize care in America; It will help families, communities and the economy. Michael Cannon of the Cato Institute frames it this way; “It is an irresponsible proposal.” Something else will have to be cut or taxation will have to be increased significantly.

Some progress has been made in drug price negotiations. The Biden-Harris administration has allowed Medicare to negotiate prices, with reductions expected through 2026, a goal that has long been thwarted. Republicans worry this will hinder R&D. Trump did not clarify his position.

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What’s Missing in the Candidates?

Health care spending has risen to levels that defy fiscal prudence, but the money spent on health care is not going to the people who provide it. Physician services only 14.5% health expenses.

From 1975 to 2019, the number of doctors increased by 150% and healthcare administrators increased by 3200%. Hospital manager’s salary increased 93% average for more than ten years payment differences 5:1 between hospital CEOs and surgeons, 12:1 against pediatricians, and 44:1 against nurses.

average clearance The salary between a hospital CEO and a surgeon is 5:1, a pediatrician is 12:1, and a nurse is 44:1.

Neither candidate addresses a return to the patient-physician relationship as a fundamental principle of healthcare.