Healthcare is a huge issue in the current political election.

Yahoo News Political Consultant Brian Goldsmith joined to break down the diverging plans of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. The divide between the two plans is stark.

In question, is the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as “Obamacare,” which was signed into law in March 2010 amid heavy contention. Passing along strict party lines by the narrowest of margins, it has become the focus for the current election.

“Obamacare itself is on the ballot,” Goldsmith said. Clinton says that she wants to preserve and improve it. Trump wants to repeal and replace it.

Its specific provisions are also being challenged. This includes the “individual mandate,” which requires that all Americans either buy insurance or pay a fine. It also could impact the subsidization of private insurance, the expansion of Medicare, and other insurance reforms.

Donald Trump: Repeal and replace Obamacare

Trump has said he wants to replace Obamacare with “something terrific.” While he hasn’t been very specific, his campaign has put out a few key elements of what his plan would include.

He would allow Americans to deduct the cost of health insurance from their taxes, he would allow you to buy health insurance across state lines, and he would allow Americans to import cheaper prescription drugs from overseas.

“He’s a bit off the beaten path in terms of Republican policy on health care,” Goldsmith said. “He’s been a long-time advocate for universal health care going back to at least the 1990s. He’s even described himself as a liberal on healthcare.”

Hillary Clinton: Preserve and improve Obamacare

Clinton wants to do two big things to improve Obamacare: expand access from 90% of Americans who have health insurance now to 100% and control costs, which are rising far faster than incomes.

In order to do this she, would expand tax credits, incent states to expand Medicaid more, allow undocumented workers to buy into the exchanges, move to pay providers for outcomes and not just for services, and expand access for rural Americans.

Clinton tried to achieve universal health care in the 1990s. When she failed, she successfully fought for the Children’s Health Insurance program.

When she ran against Obama in 2008, he actually opposed an individual mandate. She was for it. Obama then flipped on the issue after the election.

The bottom line: Clinton and Trump have starkly divergent views when it comes to healthcare, and especially given the contention over Obamacare, this is sure to be an important issue throughout the election.







