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Now that there are only two presidential contenders for November elections, it would seem that issues like health insurance costs, social security, and health care in general would be clearer-cut and easier to understand.

Then again, maybe not.

On the one hand, a recent article at Reuters does a good job of outlining the bare-bones arguments that both Obama and McCain have made regarding health care costs, employer based health insurance, and social security. But the bare-bones version doesn't include any of the concerns and questions that swirl around each candidate.

For example, McCain endorses an end to tax breaks for employer-provided health insurance, with refundable tax credits for those individuals who purchase a policy. But what if they don't? Too many people already opt out of insurance coverage, and it's those people who burden the health care system when they get sick, get emergency treatment, and then can't pay.

And Obama has proposed a national health insurance program that would reduce the exposure of employer plans to the costs of catastrophic illness. But then the question arises, who exactly will pay for those costs? Will those people with pre-existing conditions continue to be denied coverage under such a plan?

The questions could go on - how do we trim spending and preserve Social Security? How do we protect children and older Americans who can't afford coverage? What about prescription drug prices, and how many medications will be available to average Americans?

Health care in America is a mess right now, and it's no simple issue to be handled with a sound-byte. Hopefully, each candidate will carefully and clearly explain his position on this major U.S. issue before it comes time for us to cast our votes.