Comparing the Obama and McCain Plans for Health Care Reform

Family Voices urges all of our members to share their VOICE by participating in the General Election this November 4^th. To help our members prepare we share the following information about the presidential candidates positions on Health Care Reform and some general reminders to help you navigate the registration and voting process.

o The deadline to register to vote in the 2008 General Election is October 6.

§ If you are not registered you can register at any Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch or the County Clerk's Office in the Courthouse.

§ You can also pick up a mail-in registration form (must be postmarked by October 6) at any library or print one off the Secretary of State's website.

o The General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 4th, with polls open 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

§ You can find your polling place and answers to most other voting questions here .

§ If you can't make the polls on the 4th, absentee voting starts on October 7^th and continues through the election . An absentee ballot request form can be requested here.

Since health care is a critical issue for families, we are sharing this information from The Commonwealth Fund:

Comparing the Obama and McCain Plans for Health Care Reform

An analysis released today by The Commonwealth Fund examines key differences and areas of agreement in the health system reform proposals of presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama. The report, The 2008 Presidential Candidates' Health Reform Proposals: Choices for America, describes how each candidate would seek to expand health insurance coverage, improve the quality and efficiency of the health system, and control costs.

As shown in the report, both plans seek to expand health insurance coverage. But while Senator McCain would encourage individuals to select their own coverage through the individual insurance market, Senator Obama would strengthen employer coverage and public programs and create a new group insurance exchange.

Prepared by the Fund's Sara R. Collins, Ph.D., and colleagues, the report also details differences in how many people would be covered under each plan, as well as the amount of financial protection families would have against the cost of health care.

Also be sure to check out our interactive Web feature that allows you to compare the Obama and McCain plans side-by-side in 24 different areas.