Medical Issues in 2000 Elections

Paper Summary:

Although there are many important issues, both domestic and foreign affecting America, one of the major issues that the candidates chose to focus on in the Presidential elections of 2000 was the issue of prescription drug costs. The paper shows that this seemed to be a symbolic issue representing the different philosophies of the two major parties. The image that was presented was of the old woman who is unable to afford to buy necessary medications, or must choose between life-saving medication and food. The paper shows that it became a bellwether issue of the election, with the Democrats identifying themselves as the party of compassion and the Republicans trying to identify themselves as also a party of compassion, but of compassionate conservatism. In other words, both parties were saying that there is a problem, that they care about the struggles that people are undergoing and that they have ideas about how to ameliorate the problem. The paper covers the differences between the ideas of the Democrats and the Republicans.

From the Paper:

"For Gore, the proposal is a straightforward addition to Medicare of prescription drug coverage for those 65 and older. It would cover all costs for seniors earning up to 135 percent of the poverty level and subsidies for people with incomes between 135 percent ad 150 percent of the poverty level. In addition, everyone else would receive 50 percent of drug purchases adding up to at least $2,000 in 2002 and adding up to at least $5,000 in 2008. Recipients would, however, pay something for this benefit. They would pay monthly premiums starting at $25 and eventually increasing to $50 per month."

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