Election+of+08+-+Health+Care

 Health Care Reform

In terms of health care, Obama proposed an expansion of [|health insurance] with many factors. Not only did the reforms allowed coverage to cover the uninsured, it also, capped premium increases, and allowed people to retain their coverage when they leave or change jobs. During the Election of 2008, the controversy over health care was one of the major factors during presidential debates between candidates. Opposing Democratic and Republican views on the issue may be believed to be the reason why Obama won the [|election]. Mostly due to the liberal-minded viewpoint of Democratic ideals, which appeals to those in need in society.
 * General**

His proposal was to spend $900 billion over the next ten years and include a government insurance plan, or public option, to compete with the corporate insurance sector as a main component to lowering costs and improving quality of health care. It would also make it illegal for insurers to drop people who are sick or deny them coverage for already present conditions. In addition to this Obama’s proposal required every American to carry [|health coverage]...despite race, age, etc. The plan also includes medical spending cuts and taxes on insurance companies that offer expensive plans” On July 14, 2009, [|Democratic leaders of the house] introduced a 1,017-pg plan to fix the U.S. health care system, which Obama hoped for Congress to approve by the end of 2009. After much public debate during the Congressional summer recess of 2009, Obama delivered a speech to a joint session of Congress on September 9th where he addressed concerns over his administration's proposals.
 * [[image:http://www.themarijuanaobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/UnivHealthCare_March-2009.png width="192" height="195" align="left" caption="The Symbol for Health Care in America"]]Proposal**

Sources [|Controversy over H.C.] [|Health Care Debates] [|Health Care in America]

Pictures [|Health Care Symbol] [|Political Cartoon]

Additional Reading [|Issues of Health Care]

 **Additional Topics for Election of '08:** Vocabulary AP PARTS Iraq War Domestic Policy Economy Obama's Political and Personal Life