Health Matters: Welcome to WebMD's Election '08 Coverage

Let's consider this my inaugural address.

I'd like to welcome everyone to the launch of "Health Matters in the 2008 Election," WebMD's coverage of health issues in this and next year's campaigns. Our sincerest hope is that it will help you make an informed decision about one of the most important issues in the upcoming elections: Your health care.

There's a saying we've all heard, and it goes something like this: "If you have your health, you have everything." The problem is, the person giving you that advice usually just found out the value of it the hard way: by getting sick.

Well, more and more Americans are finding out about gaps in their health care coverage the same way: the hard way. All too often, it's not there when they finally need it. This surging realization is, according to many polls, making health care the top domestic issue during the elections. Iraq will no doubt be the dominant theme, but health care as a political problem is here to stay. And so are we, to help you work through it.

So, day by day, as more of the candidates put the issue front-and-center in their platforms, as they refine their stands, change them, or finally make one, we'll be there every step of the way to keep you informed.

We'll stick with it, until one of the candidates on our election page is making their own inaugural address. We hope you stick with us and count on us for the important information you need.

If you have any comments, questions, or suggested improvements -- anything at all about the election and our coverage -- please let us know here, or on our election message board.

Sean Swint
Executive Editor, WebMD