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Critics Poke at McCain, Obama Healthcare Plans
September 19, 2008

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News Summary

John McCain's healthcare reform proposal could discourage employers from offering coverage, while Barack Obama's plan would mean big new costs to taxpayers, according to analysts who critiqued the health plans offered by the two candidates, the Associated Press reported Sept. 16.

McCain's plan centers on ending tax breaks for health insurance obtained in the workplace, and instead giving tax credits of $2,500 to individuals and $5,000 to families who purchase health insurance. But critics said that the plan would mean that 20 million Americans would lose employer-paid health insurance even if roughly the same number purchased insurance.

Also, workers could lose money if the tax credits remain stagnant as healthcare premiums rise. And, McCain's plan could lead to insurers seeking out states with fewer coverage requirements, such as those who don't require coverage for addiction and mental illness.

The Obama plan calls for government subsidies for those who can't afford health insurance, along with the option of participating in a government-run health plan. Some experts said such subsidies could make inflation of healthcare premiums worse and end up costing taxpayers more and more money to keep up with rising costs.

The critiques of the Obama and McCain plans appear in the journal Health Affairs.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by jb on 25 Sep 08 03:30 PM EDT
the reason people don't go to the doctor causing the problems that lead to ER visits is the cost, yet the cost is high because people let problems become serious before seeking help. this happened to me exactly this way when i developed Diabetes. i became sick so i took a couple of days off work to get better. Like most americans without insurance, I have been to the doctor several times when sick only to pay $150 to be told that i need a couple of days rest to recover. On day 4, i was sick enough to justify the cost, but by then i was in a state of serious Ketoacidosis and needed 4 days in the ICU to recover completely. The hospital took a $12,000 loss on this because i didn't have the means or assets to cover anything close to the bill i owed. but as long as an insurance company will cover a doctor visit at $150 there is no need for doctors to compete on prices for those without insurance. as long as there is no competition, prices will remain high for basic services, and the cost of real emergencies will remain artificially high as well.

Posted by Nikki on 23 Sep 08 02:04 PM EDT
It's not so much about caring for our fellow human beings. Though that is an important motivator for many of us, others will say we can't (or they won't) pay for that. We have to argue that providing coverage for everyone will drive costs DOWN. We have to keep in mind that many Americans who don't have insurance will avoid seeing a doctor almost at all costs (to their health) due to the financial cost of it. Then, when the initially small problem escalates to requiring ER, they go in and (as jb says) are not denied care. They are unable to pay, and then the hospital has to recoup that somewhere, raising the cost of services that are generally insured and insurance companies will pay for them (and raise their rates employers and the insured pay to cover it). That's not to say doctors don't treat to the third party payer guidelines, however. They will recommend what will be paid (i.e. medications over counseling sessions for depression that might actually be situational rather than the sort of chemical imbalance that requires or responds best to medication). It's a complex problem requiring complex solutions.

Posted by jb on 22 Sep 08 03:41 PM EDT
There is nothing disgraceful about the way the American health care system works. you dont hear of people being denied emergency services because they cant pay for it. the problem is that people dont make rational market driven decisions when it comes to health care because we have a third party payer system. if the government would step back a bit and let people choose insurance plans based on their personal needs, rather than an often arbitrary system of health care laws, competition would drive the price of medical care and insurance to a reasonable level.

Posted by dd on 22 Sep 08 01:46 PM EDT
It is a disgrace to live in a country that does not offer health care to every single citizen. How can any of us be easy when we know that there are people who need health care and can't afford it. Yes, the details of universal care are complex and it might require more taxes from some of us in order to see to it that every child, woman and man have access to the care they need. But the concept is simple: either we care about one another's well being or we don't. I'm tired of living in a country that seems to have lost sight of community and taking care of one another even though it claims to be Christian.

Posted by Barbara on 22 Sep 08 10:37 AM EDT
Question, What does this mean for the retired folks that have insurance from their former employers and still not eligible for Medicare? Also, I am incorporated and thus can deduct(or count it as a business expense)my premiums, will that limit my deductions.

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