Mike Gravel on Health Care

Gravel supports a federally funded voucher system for health care to cover all Americans, based on their needs. Individuals could use the vouchers at the doctor of their choosing, and no one would be denied health care coverage for any financial or health reasons. While he wants to keep Medicare and Medicaid in place now, he would phase them out eventually. He says the president can change Americans' lives by encouraging healthy living

Health Insurance: Private/Government

• Initiate a federal health care voucher system, based on projected individual needs, to cover all Americans regardless of health or income. The vouchers would be used for any health care professional — including eye care, dental care, and catastrophic treatment — and would replace insurance.
• Set up regional health boards, modeled after Federal Reserve System, to ensure service quality and cover preventive needs.

Medical Costs

• Include a modest co-pay with vouchers.

Health Savings Accounts

• Use the voucher system, making health savings accounts unnecessary.

Drugs: Costs/Importation

• Provide drugs, facilities, and medical supplies through regional health care boards.