This blog is part of the series that focuses on the candidates who are running for President of the United States in 2016. This blog focuses on Ben Carson.
Ben Carson is a former pediatric neurosurgeon who worked at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. He is known for the first successful separation of craniopagus twins that were joined at the back of the head in 1987. In 2001, he was selected by the Library of Congress as one of 89 “Living Legends”. Ben Carson does not have a political background.
Health Care
On his official website, Ben Carson calls Obamacare (also known as the Affordable Care Act or ACA) “a looming disaster” and a “monstrosity”. He strongly supports people having Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) instead.
The Mayo Clinic points out that the money in an HSA is not taxed. It also points out that in order to open an HSA, a person has to have a high-deductible health insurance plan. The deductible must be paid off before the health plan will cover any medical expenses. According to the New York Times, Ben Carson wants to eliminate Medicaid and Medicare.
Women’s Health Care
According to his official website, Ben Carson says: “I am unabashedly and entirely pro-life”. He has raised money for faith-based entities that help pregnant women with the birth of their child by providing “pro-life services”. Ben Carson wants to defund Planned Parenthood.
Ben Carson has, in the past, used fetal tissue in his research. Today, he says that he does not believe that fetal tissue should be obtained from abortion.
Immigration
According to Reuters, Ben Carson supports deporting families who come to the United States expressly to have children and ensure them United States citizenship. He also has suggested a greater use of drones along the border between the United States and Mexico. One purpose of the drones is to blow up caves that smugglers use to get people and drugs into the United States. He does not want the drones to be used to kill people.
Education
According to his official website, Ben Carson wants the American education system to be “run by involved parents and engaged teachers and principals”. He is not in favor of Common Core and wants to see that overturned. He also does not want the U.S. Department of Education to “dictate how children are educated in our primary and secondary schools.”
Jobs
According to The Hill, Ben Carson has said that the $7.25 federal minimum wage should be raised. Politifact notes that Ben Carson said “I have no desire to get rid of safety nets for people who need them. I have a strong desire to get rid of programs that create dependency in able-bodied people.” The programs he is referring to include what some might call “welfare”.
Image by Marc Nozell on Flickr.
Related Articles at Families.com:
* Focus on the Candidates – Chris Christie
* Focus on the Candidates – Marco Rubio
* Focus on the Candidates – Carly Fiorina