2008 Presidential Campaign

With the Presidential candidates in a final sprint to the election on Tuesday, November 4th, the AAFP would like to tell you where Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama stand on primary care issues and give you questions to ask at campaign events – but also be a resource for those of you who want additional information, e.g., the latest state polling data and where to vote in your area.

Now that the conventions are over and the Vice Presidential candidates have been chosen, the Academy has revamped its 2008 Presidential Election web page to bring you a just-completed comparison of the Obama and McCain campaigns’ health care positions, drawing on their websites and analyses from other health groups in Washington.

We hope this information helps with your decision and welcome any feedback at election2008@aafp.org. Now it’s up to you – vote!

Learn

Compare the 2008 Presidential Candidates' Health Care Plans -- Includes synopses, legislative histories, key points, and health care costs, as well as links to plan details.

How Did Candidates Respond to the AAFP Survey? -- The survey asked about seniors & Medicare, health care coverage and reform, EHRs, workforce development and medical liability.

Family Medicine's Most Important Issues -- Each of these fact sheets summarizes the AAFP's recommendations regarding health care for all, the patient-centered medical home and Medicare physician payment reform.

AAFP News Now Reports -- Coverage of the Campaign from AAFP News Now (ANN)

Other Health Care Groups Weigh In -- Analyses of the candidate's positions

More from the Kaiser Family Foundation -- The Kaiser Family Foundation has added two new resources on its health08.org Web site detailing presidential candidates Sen. John McCain’s and Sen. Barack Obama’s stance on key health care issues.

Karen Davis on the Presidential Candidates' Health Reform Plans -- Commonwealth Fund president Karen Davis examines a series of articles published on the Web site of the health policy journal Health Affairs

Lewin Group Analysis -- Predicts how McCain, Obama health care proposals would affect uninsured U.S. residents.

Politics & Polls From the Nation's Media -- Read political commentary from analysts across the country.

Polling data -- Daily presidential polling results broken down by state.

Check Your Facts -- Project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, with a nonpartisan aim to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. Factcheck.org monitors the accuracy of political ads, and other media coverage.

Take Action

Do You Support a Patient-Centered Medical Home? -- Ask this and other questions of candidates at campaign events.

Make a Difference In Your State -- Attend the 2008 State Legislative Conference, November 14-15. Join your colleagues, constituent chapter leaders, executives and government affairs staff and help create legislation that matters.