John Mccain’s terrible Health Care “plan” vs. Obama
Lost in the economic crisis, the lousy horserace numbers for McCain, and the personal attacks of the McCain camp is the ongoing health care crisis in the United States. With our current system, there remain 47 million without care and millions more who are underinsured. Cost issues exist alongside inequalities of care access. And now, with unemployment rising, the issue is becoming more acute.
Paul Krugman: Conservative Republicans still hate Medicare, and would kill it if they could — in fact, they tried to gut it during the Clinton years (thats what the 1995 shutdown of the government was all about). But so far they havent been able to pull that off.
So John McCain wants to destroy the health insurance of nonelderly Americans instead. But but Not good. Obama’s idea is different. Today, he signed on to the Health Care for America Now principles, which do not endorse specific legislation, but are compatible with single payer and other approaches. From a press release:
Today, Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) signed the Health Care for America Now statement declaring that he is on the side of quality, affordable health care for all and opposed to leaving Americans on their own with unregulated health insurance.
There’s still plenty of room to argue about the best way to get there, but with a recession looming and people in danger of losing their jobs, this is not an issue that can be ignored any more. Expect it to be brought up in the town hall debate tomorrow - unlike the phoney stuff being brought up by McCain’s campaign and his increasingly shrill VP candidate, who caters only to the shrinking Republican base, this is an issue that all Americans actually care about.
“Health Care for America Now’s goal this year is to get the next President and a majority of Congress committed to the principles of quality, affordable health care for all and opposed to policies that would tax our benefits at work and leave us on our own with the unregulated, bureaucratic private insurance industry,” said Richard Kirsch, National Campaign Manager, Health Care for America Now. “With Senator Obama’s signature, we are taking a major step towards getting the next President and Congress to make comprehensive health care reform a priority in 2009.”
John McCain’s plan is anything but acceptable. Since it’s all about saving money and nothing else, he proposes, according to the WSJ: McCain Plans Federal Health Cuts…Medicare, Medicaid Spending Would Be Reduced to Offset Proposed Tax Credit
Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Sen. McCain’s senior policy adviser, said Sunday that the campaign has always planned to fund the tax credits, in part, with savings from Medicare and Medicaid. Those government health-care programs serve seniors, poor families and the disabled. Medicare spending for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30 is estimated at $457.5 billion.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/6/124346/441/758/621648
Those of us who analyze health policy and trends for a living have struggled to follow John McCain’s health plan through its many seemingly-improvised changes. First he was taxing health benefits through both payroll and income tax. Then he said he only intended to apply income tax, which meant that his plan would create even larger deficits. Now he says there won’t be deficits, because he’s going to make up the cost of those tax credits by slashing Medicare and Medicaid.
When a candidate suddenly, almost whimsically changes the way he proposes to handle $1.3 trillion - which is the amount of money his plan puts in play over the next ten years - it’s time to get nervous.
We already knew the McCain plan was going to cost most Americans money (in at least three different ways.) Now we know it could jeopardize their medical care when they get older, too. The end result of this off-the-cuff planning could change the way Americans receive, or don’t receive, medical care in this country…at least three kinds of health “tax increases” (more accurately described as increased personal cost) under the McCain plan: a “slow bleed” for people who retain coverage as the tax credit falls behind inflation, a $,7000-plus spike for people who lose their coverage immediately, and an increase in out-of-pocket costs (and denials, etc.) for people who still have insurance. What do we get in return? According to that neutral study, three million uninsured would gain coverage - briefly. After five years the number of uncovered would go up.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rj-eskow/mccains-erratic-health-st_b_132242.html
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anoniab said:
You haven’t been …
You haven’t been exposed to a third party because the powers that be prefer no change. You have to do your homework.
Try a party that upholds the Constitution like the Constitution Party or the Libertarian Party. Their candidates are on YT as well (Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin)
GUMMYBEAYUH said:
With 23 years of …
With 23 years of Health Care experience, I can state with absolute certainty that Senator McCain’s plan is FAR better than Senator Obama’s. Senator Obama’s sounds wonderful, but it has so many flaws that have been proven to fail time, and time again, that it is hardly worth the time, money, and effort to even comprehend it. Look at Hawaii if you need an American example of this failure. They had a carbon copy of Senator Obama’s plan, and it failed horribly within only 7 Months.
ArboriusOwns said:
“fist sexual …
“fist sexual lifestyle is a choice”
Then why do homosexuals always say they were born gay?
“second taxing people 3 more percent for making over 250,000 dollars is a far cry from Socialism”
3% is just the start and according to Joe Biden its $150k now and I’m sure it will soon be $42k. They also want to raise capital gains tax and raise the cap on social security taxes both of which will hit the middle class.
ArboriusOwns said:
The democrats …
The democrats deregulated the housing market it was the republicans that called for more regulation in 2004. Look around on YT theres plenty of videos straight from their mouths.
ArboriusOwns said:
You think the …
You think the government won’t deny you treatment for health issues. democrats are always complaining that the world is over populated they look at the old and sick as a burden on society. They can’t wait for them old people to die and make room for them.
EmilyGreene1984 said:
If you actually …
If you actually looked more fully into the issues regarding him, instead of just listening to CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, etc - you would see that I’m not speaking just, as you claim, “Republican brain-washed garbage”. If John McCain were in Barack’s position, I would not fail to call him as I have about Barack. Close ties with a self-confessed, unrepentant terrorist, radical liberal views, advocating abortion, willing to bring back the “Fairness Doctrine”, raising taxes, taking money from others, etc
EmilyGreene1984 said:
I’m blind? I’m …
I’m blind? I’m happy to see things for what they are, unlike you. I was raised by Democrats for years and not once did I ever agree with the views that they fed to me and I don’t agree with some of the policies of the Republicans to be called one. If I had to call myself anything then I would be a social conservative and I’m proud to be one. Its sad that you don’t realize that Obama is a man with shady connections (at least). You, my friend, are the one who is blind. Its a pity.
funkyflights said:
Actually your wrong …
Actually your wrong and your allowing the press and the die hard republicans to blind you … Obama is not a socialist and he’s most definitley not a terrorist.. do you realize how ridiculous your post looks… could you be any more blind … fist sexual lifestyle is a choice and not determined by anyone but yourself … second taxing people 3 more percent for making over 250,000 dollars is a far cry from Socialism … Health care is a right that should be for all Americans.. PERIOD
EmilyGreene1984 said:
If you think …
If you think America is bad now, under Barack Obama - it will be far worse. At least to those who are not of a socialist, Marxist, terrorist, alternate sexual lifestyle approving mindset.
funkyflights said:
Obama’s plan will …
Obama’s plan will work …every American should have health care… McCain just wants to empower these insurance companies MORE and de regulate everything just like the stock market and where did that get us … the government needs to get involved with health care NOT totally controlling it but putting laws in place so they cant deny people the right … managed care has killed and untold number of our countrymen … it’s a terrible system … TERRIBLE …
EmilyGreene1984 said:
Correction: - I …
Correction: - I meant to say that “this” country is already dealing with.
EmilyGreene1984 said:
My own parents and …
My own parents and grandparents are over $423,000 worth in debt each!! And I myself have several thousand dollars worth of debt to still clear up. So don’t you tell me that I don’t have it tough. But they at least can fend for themselves during this time, despite my insistence to help them. I agree that health care needs to be fixed, but the way Barack Obama has been proposing is never going to cut it and then he’ll only add to the problems that his country is already dealing with.
funkyflights said:
OH yeah …. and …
OH yeah …. and has the republican party taken anything from us ? were talking about increase in taxes for the rich .. correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t the current government just take Billions from the poor to give to the rich? see the double standard here .. were talking health care and it’s gotta be fixed .. if you don’t think so just wait until someone you love gets screwed over by one of these insurance companies… If you don’t think health care needs fixing then your clueless…..
EmilyGreene1984 said:
Well you are …
Well you are perfectly entitled to take what Barack Obama has taken from others. But speaking for myself and others like myself, I do not approve of any of this man’s policies and I won’t subject myself to them, even if he becomes President. I’m not fooling anyone - I’m stating my opinion and sticking to my standards. And also, that last comment sounded like a very socialist-type of comment. I’m sure glad I won’t be supporting it or Barack Obama.
funkyflights said:
NO my friend …. …
NO my friend …. YOU NEED TO WAKE UP … enough is enough … your not fooling anybody .. were taking back our right to health care and these insurance companies have a ticking clock on there profits… for the people by the people … there is no “I” in the constitution there is a “WE”
wmjohn6217 said:
TO CLARIFY: …
TO CLARIFY: McCain’s health plan does not replace a $12,000 policy with a $5,000 credit as OBAMA’s AD leads you to think. It replaces the taxes on part of that amount with a tax credit. When you receive health insurance from your employer, remember you end up paying directly or indirectly! McCain’s plan is status-quo for those who already get insurance benefits at work, but his plan benefits those who do not have an insurance plan at work because it acts like a tax deduction toward it.
wmjohn6217 said:
McCain’s health …
McCain’s health plan does not replace a $12,000 policy with a $5,000 credit as he leads you to think. It replaces the taxes on part of that amount with a tax credit. When you receive health insurance from your employer, who do you think is buying it? It comes out of your pay! Even the employer contribution is from money they could otherwise have paid you. This plan benefits those who do not have an insurance plan at work because they don’t get a tax deduction.
EmilyGreene1984 said:
Speaking as one of …
Speaking as one of those millions who are uninsured, dealing with rising medical costs (I have cirrhosis - although that is none of your or anyone else’s business), and who is deeply concerned about the state of society in America - I don’t want another taxpayer’s hard earned money. Barack Obama’s plan in the end will not save lives - but will only further increase the problems in the medical system. And socially - Barack Obama’s policies are a joke. People like you need to wake up!
funkyflights said:
Obama’s plan will …
Obama’s plan will save lives… McCain’s plan leaves Millions out in the cold … it’s funny how McCain does not want government to get involved with health care but in the same breath he has government health care… LOL … wake up people … vote for Obama
EmilyGreene1984 said:
Barack Obama’s plan …
Barack Obama’s plan in the end will cost more money than John McCain’s plan ever will and not only that, but it will takes taxpayers money and not allow for them to them to receive it back. Amoung other things, that is why Barack should never become President. Period.
funkyflights said:
Well as and …
Well as and American born with a congenital heart defect I can tell you right now I”ve had to file bankruptcy from health care costs … I cant get private insurance because I’m to much of a risk to the company … so you tell me how is a tax credit gonna get me private health care??? McCains plan is the same old crap leaving Millions out in the cold … Obama’s plan is WAY better …. period
EmilyGreene1984 said:
I disagree with …
I disagree with what this video has said against John McCain. Speaking as someone who is, currently, unable to afford insurance and living with cirrhosis - after having looked into both candidates plans for health care, I believe John McCain’s plan is much better overall.
DeucePrez said:
anoniab:
Btw, I’m …
anoniab:
Btw, I’m an Independent….
I don’t vote “party”.
I vote “policy”.
If you claim to be a Democrat and your policy is crap, I’m not voting for you. I’d vote Republican.
FLIP-SIDE
If you claim to be a Republican and your policy is crap, I’m not voting for you. I’d vote Democratic. This time around, the Republican’s policies are CRAP and the Democrat’s policies are good. We’re not in a “vote for the ‘lesser evil’” for a change!!
That’s what we usually face…during my lifetime.
DeucePrez said:
anoniab:
You …
anoniab:
You completely missed my point. I was not “dissing” anyone. I asked you a question that you didn’t answer.
How could anyone vote for a 3rd party when we’ve not been exposed to one? Where’s their platform listed? Why haven’t we heard of it? Weren’t they able to raise as much funds as the other candidates to pay for TV/cable ads? Couldn’t they have paid for a non-costly website to promote their platform and candidacy?
Every I or D vote that goes to a 3rd party is a vote for McCain.
talktal said:
if 1/3 of american …
if 1/3 of american do not pay federal income tax, where is this $5,000 tax credit coming? sorry, still unclear on mccain’s plan and need clarity. it seems like a bad idea, but need more info on it to make a final decision