McCain believes that affordable health care can be made available to all Americans without a mandated universal system and that government-run systems such as those in Canada and Europe would not succeed in the U.S. Also opposes requiring all citizens purchase insurance. Supports expanding community health centers and S-CHIP programs, tax incentives for the poor and health savings accounts. Opposes Medicare’s prescription drug benefit

Wants to provide affordable, comprehensive health care to every American, modernize the system, improve quality of treatment and promote prevention.  Employers (excluding small businesses that do not meet a revenue threshold) not offering coverage would be required to contribute funds to the national plan. Employers will be partially reimbursed for catastrophic costs. Would expand Medicaid and S-CHIP to cover all children.