2/5/08 - Short-term-medical-insurance.com concludes that four of the five top presidential candidates would continue the use of short term medical insurance for temporary health coverage. Only one candidate would likely eliminate this low cost coverage option for American families. This evaluation is based on the Associated Press summary statements on the candidates’ health insurance positions as of February 5, 2008. Ironically it is Hillary Clinton, the female candidate who is wooing female voters whose position threatens to eliminate this type of health insurance coverage that is most valued by women.

Hillary Clinton is the only candidate who advocates mandatory universal health insurance coverage that would presumably be incompatible with short term medical insurance.  Clinton proposes that Medicare and federal employees' health insurance plans should be expanded to cover those without employer-provided group insurance. There would likely be no place for the less expensive and more flexible individual commercial insurance plans, including short term medical insurance because many people would opt out of the more expensive federal coverage in favor of lower priced commercial insurance if this option were available. The only way to enforce universal coverage under this proposal is to eliminate the lower cost options. Clinton's health insurance proposals faced fierce resistance and were ultimately unsuccessful during her husband's first term in office, and she is likely to face similar opposition again.

Barack Obama's proposal is similar to Clinton's except that he does not advocate mandatory coverage for adults. Presumably adults would have more flexibility in taking lower cost coverage as an alternative to the "all or none" proposal of offering federal employees' health plan.

The Republican candidates favor incentives for expanding health insurance and oppose a universal "one size fits all" federal health insurance plan.

John McCain proposes refundable tax credits to make health insurance more affordable but does not mandate universal coverage. Market competition, including all types of commercial health insurance, would remain intact.

Mike Huckabee favors market solutions and state innovation, while spending more on prevention and research. He opposes universal health care mandated by federal edict or higher taxes. Commercial medical insurance, including short term medical insurance, would remain an option.

Mitt Romney proposes incentives for states to expand affordable coverage. As the former governor of Massachusetts, he encouraged a radical health care law that advanced universal coverage through premium subsidies and by penalizing those who do not get insurance. Short term medical insurance is not available in Massachusetts, but this is a result of other previous legislation and not the result of Romney's efforts.

At this early stage it seems more likely than not that we will continue to enjoy the benefits of short term medical insurance as an option beyond the outcome of the 2008 presidential election. Even if Clinton is elected, there would be strong opposition to eliminate this type of low cost health insurance coverage for American families who are in transition stages between other types of health insurance.

Short-term-medical-insurance.com provides enrollment support for high quality, low cost temporary health insurance nationwide. The Web site serves primarily women and addresses the concerns that women express when looking for coverage for their own family. Women make the majority of individual and family health insurance purchases in the United States and are also likely to make health insurance decisions for their young adult children who have already moved out of the family home. Women are more likely than male buyers to place quality of coverage at a higher priority than the price of insurance.