Healthcare costs top the list of expenses Americans are fretting over; three in four adults say they are “very” or “somewhat worried” about being able to afford unexpected medical bills or the cost of healthcare services for themselves and their families.
Health Insurance Coverage by Age
Source: healthaffairs.org
At least 80% of voters say it is “very important” that White House hopefuls talk about their plans for healthcare costs on the campaign trail. So, what are the two sides saying in the run-up to November?
Terms to Know
We’ll leave you in suspense and explain some key healthcare-debate terms you should know:
- Universal Health Coverage: The belief that everyone should have access to quality health services without financial hardship.
- Medicaid: A healthcare program provided by federal and state governments for low-income Americans. Medicaid is the largest source of health coverage in the U.S.
- Medicare: A federally funded health insurance program for people ages 65+ and younger people with disabilities.
- Single-payer healthcare: A system in which the government is the only payer of healthcare costs (in place of private insurance) and covers all qualifying healthcare expenses from money collected through taxes. This system is used by 17 countries, including Bahrain, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
- Medicare-for-All: A proposal for a single-payer healthcare program in the United States that would replace existing public and private options.
- Affordable Care Act (ACA): Also known as Obamacare, this legislation expanded access to Medicaid, created a regulated health insurance marketplace, and required insurers to offer coverage for pre-existing conditions. Since it was passed in 2010, the percentage of Americans with health insurance has risen from 84% to 92%.
Both Sides
The Republican Party traditionally believes that free markets foster competition, improve patient experience, and drive health care costs down. Most Republicans oppose a single-payer system, arguing that the government will make healthcare more expensive, less efficient, and leave patients with fewer choices. While 66% of Republicans think health insurance is not the government’s responsibility, 54% want federally funded programs for the elderly and poor to continue.
Democrats generally believe that quality, affordable healthcare is a right, not a privilege, for every American. They are “proud to be the party that passed Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act” and want to see those programs protected and expanded. Among Democrats, 54% favor a single-payer system like Medicare-for-All, while 33% say health insurance should be provided by a mix of private companies and government programs.
Candidate Stances
Vice President Harris aims to expand healthcare to cover more Americans, building upon Presidents Obama and Biden’s policies. During her 2019 campaign, she supported Medicare-for-all but said that in 2024, she would not push for single-payer insurance if elected president. She plans to “maintain and grow” the Affordable Care Act and to continue bringing down drug costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate with drug manufacturers.
Former President Trump supports “more choice, better care, and lower costs.” While President, Trump lowered prescription drug prices, expanded access to affordable coverage, and signed a law to end surprise medical billing. He has promised not to cut Medicare spending and criticized the Affordable Care Act, saying he plans to replace it with something “better and less expensive.”
Eternal Perspectives
Believers may respectfully disagree about who should cover the costs of healthcare, but we can agree that our bodies are a beautifully designed gift from the Lord. Stewarding that gift well means taking care of our bodies and compassionately caring for the physical needs of our neighbors.
“For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well.”
Psalm 139:13-14 (CSB)
This is part of our Election Collection articles series, created to help Christians grow in understanding and compassion on key issues surrounding the 2024 presidential election.
Last Updated: October 8, 2024
