McCain launches healthcare ad

John McCain, in general election mode, unveiled a new TV ad in a key swing state on an issue on which Democrats believe they have the upper hand: healthcare.

"The problem with healthcare in America is not the quality of health care, it's the availability and the affordability. And that has to do with the dramatic increase in the cost of healthcare," McCain says directly to the camera in the 60-second spot that declares it will give "straight talk" on the issue.

"Let's give every American family a $5,000 refundable tax credit so that they can go out across state lines and get the insurance policy that suits them best," McCain continues. "I can characterize my approach on health care by choice and competition, affordability and availability. We need community health centers. We need walk-in clinics. We understand that emergency room care is the most expensive in America.

"There's many, many solutions to this problem," the presumptive Republican nominee concludes. "I think we can address them. The fundamental problem is not the quality of health care; it's the cost of health care. So health care must be made affordable and available."

The Arizona senator is airing the ad in Iowa, which appears to be a toss-up state in November. In 2004, President Bush defeated Senator John F. Kerry 50 percent to 49 percent, but in 2000, Vice President Al Gore beat Bush 49 percent to 48 percent.

McCain's approach on healthcare is significantly different and far less government oriented than Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, who both pledge to get to universal coverage. Clinton would require individuals to obtain insurance and provide government subsidies to those who can't afford policies. Obama would focus more on making healthcare affordable, arguing that if it isn't, people would flout the mandate.

McCain, who is giving a series of healthcare speeches this week, is also hitting back against the Service Employees International Union, which supports Obama and is running an ad in Ohio saying that McCain's proposal wouldn't lower healthcare costs.