Alzheimer's politics
Many of us are energized by the approaching elections. An admitted political junkie, I set out to clarify what each presidential candidate is pledging to the Alzheimer’s community.
Eric J. Hall of Alzheimer’s Foundation of America met this summer with domestic policy staff from the McCain and Obama campaigns. In his article on Health Central, Hall challenged the incoming administration to take steps toward earlier diagnosis and treatment; to enhance better long-term care; to create better quality of support for patient and caregiver; and to help defray ballooning care costs.
Both sides acknowledge the new president will be overseeing a large baby boom population with chronic diseases and dementia-related illnesses. Yes, but what will each actually do?
Barack Obama’s campaign manifest promises “to support disease management programs.”
Acknowledging that 75 percent of total US healthcare dollars are spent on patients with one or more chronic conditions, Obama promises to streamline spending through “team care” that will improve coordination and integration of care of those with chronic conditions.
Obama plans to invest $10 billion/year over five years to transition to an electronic health information system, leading to better coordination of patient care. He pledges to support investments in biomedical research and medical education and training in health-related fields with funds earmarked to research prevention, early detection and treatment of diseases. While cancer and heart disease are specified (not Alzheimer’s), Obama does promise to focus on chronic diseases.
John McCain promises “quality, cheaper care for chronic disease,” with an emphasis on prevention, early intervention, healthy habits, new treatment models and a new public health infrastructure to reduce health costs. On the site he states, “We should dedicate more federal research to caring and curing chronic disease.”
The Obama and McCain platforms share some goals: Both pledge to make health insurance available to the under- or uninsured, and say they are committed to streamlining the health care system. For more detail on each party’s healthcare reform plans, go here:
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare
http://www.johnmccain.com/informing/Issues/19ba2flc-c03f-4ac2-8cd5-5cf2edb527cf.htm
http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/10/news/economy/tully_healthcare.fortune/
Since all politics are local, be sure to visit the sites of your local and state reps – as well as your regional Alzheimer’s chapters - to hear what plans and promises they make to your community.
Eric J. Hall of Alzheimer’s Foundation of America met this summer with domestic policy staff from the McCain and Obama campaigns. In his article on Health Central, Hall challenged the incoming administration to take steps toward earlier diagnosis and treatment; to enhance better long-term care; to create better quality of support for patient and caregiver; and to help defray ballooning care costs.
Both sides acknowledge the new president will be overseeing a large baby boom population with chronic diseases and dementia-related illnesses. Yes, but what will each actually do?
Barack Obama’s campaign manifest promises “to support disease management programs.”
Acknowledging that 75 percent of total US healthcare dollars are spent on patients with one or more chronic conditions, Obama promises to streamline spending through “team care” that will improve coordination and integration of care of those with chronic conditions.
Obama plans to invest $10 billion/year over five years to transition to an electronic health information system, leading to better coordination of patient care. He pledges to support investments in biomedical research and medical education and training in health-related fields with funds earmarked to research prevention, early detection and treatment of diseases. While cancer and heart disease are specified (not Alzheimer’s), Obama does promise to focus on chronic diseases.
John McCain promises “quality, cheaper care for chronic disease,” with an emphasis on prevention, early intervention, healthy habits, new treatment models and a new public health infrastructure to reduce health costs. On the site he states, “We should dedicate more federal research to caring and curing chronic disease.”
The Obama and McCain platforms share some goals: Both pledge to make health insurance available to the under- or uninsured, and say they are committed to streamlining the health care system. For more detail on each party’s healthcare reform plans, go here:
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare
http://www.johnmccain.com/informing/Issues/19ba2flc-c03f-4ac2-8cd5-5cf2edb527cf.htm
http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/10/news/economy/tully_healthcare.fortune/
Since all politics are local, be sure to visit the sites of your local and state reps – as well as your regional Alzheimer’s chapters - to hear what plans and promises they make to your community.
Tags: alzheimer's, chronic, diseases, elections, mccain, obama, presidential
Add a Comment
© 2009 Created by Marie
You need to be a member of WEGO Health to add comments!
Join this social network