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Meet the Candidates: 2008 Presidential Candidate Senator Barack Obamaon Health and Health Care

Barack ObamaBarack Obama, the Democratic candidate in the 2008 presidential election, completed a survey on medical research and health care issues, backed by a group of more than 40 organizations committed to health and health research.

More information about Senator Obama's health care positions, as well as the health care views of 2008 Republic presidential candidate John McCain, is available on the Your Candidates-Your Health election issues Web site.

Obama's health care plan:

Health care solutions

  • Our health care system is broken and needs a complete overhaul.
  • Obama's plan will provide affordable, comprehensive and portable health coverage for every American.
  • Mental health services should be part of all health care plans.
  • Obama will champion a renewed focus and the necessary resources to improve public health and prevention.

Read more on health care solutions

Obama's views on stem cell research:

  • Every American should have access to potential new cures. And we should review restrictions on federal funding for stem cell research.
  • Obama supports expanding and accelerating research using embryonic stem cells.

Read more about stem cell research

Obama's position on health costs and research funding issues:

Health care costs
Medical research funding
CDC's mission

  • Seniors who participate in the Medicare program should have access to affordable and safe prescription drug benefits.
  • Obama will support legislation permitting Medicare to negotiate prices for prescription drugs.
  • He will ensure the CDC has the resources it needs to fulfill its public health mission.
  • Obama strongly supports increasing funding for the National Institutes of Health, the government agency that funds most of the medical research paid for by U.S. taxpayers.
  • We should increase funding for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the lead government agency for research to improve the quality, safety and effectiveness of health care.

Read more on health costs and funding issues

Obama on economic and national security issues

Medical research and innovation
Global health research and national security

  • The U.S. must work to maintain a global competitive edge in science, technology and innovation.
  • What happens in countries around the world, such as the spread of avian flu in Asia, can adversely impact U.S. national security.

Read more on economic issues

Presidential Survey

Read about these and other election issues in the full independent survey responses from Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain at the Your Candidates-Your Health Web site.