FACTBOX: When it comes to health care, McCain/Obama agree

(Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and Republican candidate John McCain agree that Americans spend too much on drugs and doctors and largely agree on what changes to make, but they have competing proposals for how to do so. Here is a summary of their positions:

BUYING HEALTH INSURANCE

McCain would end tax breaks for employer-provided health insurance and provide a refundable tax credit of $2,500 per person, or $5,000 for families. He would promote competition by allowing people to buy insurance across state lines.

Obama has proposed a national insurance program to allow individuals and small businesses to buy health care similar to that available to federal employees, supplemented in part by a tax on employers who do not provide coverage.

Both want insurance to be portable, meaning people would not lose coverage when they switch jobs.

THE UNINSURED

McCain proposes a Guaranteed Access Plan or GAP provided by states. One example would be a nonprofit corporation that would contract with insurers.

Obama would create a National Health Insurance Exchange to help people buy private insurance, act as a watchdog and create standards. He would require health care for all children, and expand Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program or SCHIP.

IMPROVING CARE