Over the past month, there has been much ado about the United States presidential nominees’ views on how to reform the nation’s current health-care system, the candidates themselves fighting on all possible battle fields to draw American voters on their side.

Nevertheless, Democrat Barack Obama seems to have been able to wield more weapons in this head-to-head struggle, since he recently launched a TV ad in purple states, showing citizens that John McCain’s health-care plan would actually leave many people uninsured or drive them to bankruptcy, as it would translate in substantially reducing Medicare and Medicaid premiums. Medicare and Medicaid are two insurance programs under the U.S. government’s administration that provide coverage for the elderly and the disabled and for the low-income Americans, respectively.

Still, it appears that not even Obama’s advisers are on the same page with the candidate on this one, since they have been known to support, before becoming part of the Democrat’s staff, McCain’s ideas.

Consequently, Jason Furman, Obama's economic policy director, stated back in 2006 that tax credits, which is exactly what Republican John McCain proposes, were a necessary step in reforming the U.S health-care system.

GOP’s nominee’s plan entails offering Americans refundable tax credits of $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families, irrespective of their income or their choice for a health insurance provider, be it a private or a public one.

In May this year, the aforementioned Furman published an article in „Health Affairs” on reforming the health-care tax system by using tax credits.

Moreover, David Cutler, another member of Obama’s campaign staff, wrote in his 2004 book „Your Money or Your Life” that people should seek health insurance outside of employment, thus not settling for what the company they work for has to offer them in terms of coverage.

His statement comes in sharp contrast with Obama’s plan, which centers on requiring companies to provide insurance to their employees.

So much for working as a team and believing in the same things where Barack Obama’s staff is concerned.