keywords: presidential candidate john mccain, town hall meeting, health care, cleveland clinic
Synopsis: Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain holds a town hall meeting at the Cleveland Clinic to address his thoughts on Health Care... (read more)
John McCain -Town Hall Meeting On Health Care At The Cleveland Clinic 05/01/08
John McCain held a Town Hall Meeting on health care at the Cleveland Clinic on May 1, 2008. The all-but-certain Republican nominee for president used a visit to the Cleveland Clinic to tout his health care reforms. Prior to taking questions McCain acknowledged Ohio State Representative Josh Mandel that just returned from serving his second tour of duty in Iraq.
McCain's proposal include a $5,000 tax credit each year for families to shop and pay for health care that best suites their needs no matter in what state that the insurer resides.
He next addressed the high cost of malpractice insurance for doctors and the fact doctors many times prescribe tests to make certain they are not sued for malpractice.
He wants to find ways to make health care accessible and affordable for all Americans by cutting its costs and promoting efficiency. He talks about the partnership between the Cleveland Clinic and Google that provides access to on-line records of a patient available to the doctor or patient at anytime and from anywhere.
Obesity among young people is a major concern. Wellness and fitness practices that can help people - especially youth - avoid chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes should be promoted, McCain said. "We need to encourage simple things, like membership in a health club," he said.
The question of free trade was asked and John McCain responded he is a proponent of free trade and said where we have failed is in training and education of displaced workers.
The question was asked how he would address the problem of illegals driving up the health care costs. He said we must first secure our borders.
I will reach my hand across the aisle and work to save Medicare.