Whose Version of Medical Coverage Will We Get?November 2007
As the elections inch closer and closer, each presidential nominee has backed their own
health insurance plan, with promises that should they be elected their version of medical coverage will change the way our healthcare system provides for those Americans who become sick or get injured.
But it can be difficult to keep track of them all, and to understand whose plan is like what. This is why
Sign-On San Diego recently ran an article on the major presidential candidates, and the health insurance plan that each one has been talking about.
For the top 3 republicans, it looks like tax breaks must be the most popular means of financing medical coverage. Rudy Giuliani proposes a tax deduction of $7,500 for people who don't have employer-based health insurance, as well as giving health care vouchers to poor people. Mike Huckabee takes a different approach, saying that guaranteeing health care isn't the government's responsibility, but does believe that medical coverage should be deductible for families and transferable among jobs. And Mitt Romney favors "market reforms" for his health insurance plan, which others suggest is code for "tax breaks to subsidize premiums."
Facts on:
Presidential Health Plan
Did you know...
There are more than 43 million Americans without any form of medical coverage?
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In the democratic corner, universal healthcare, or something very similar, is the name of the game. Hillary Rodham Clinton claims that she would set a goal of universal health coverage by the end of a second term, and wants to require people to buy health insurance, and require companies to provide
medical coverage regardless of medical history. John Edwards is even more aggressive about it, claiming that he would begin by putting universal health care in place as soon as he takes office, and paying for the plan by repealing the Bush tax cut on people earning more than $200,000 a year. The Barack Obama health care plan is a bit more conservative; he proposes creating a national health insurance pool and subsidizing those who can't afford available group rates. Employers would need to offer coverage, but being covered wouldn't be the law.
With all the excitement regarding upcoming elections, it's hard to know whose plan will succeed and whose won't, but one thing is for sure: 2008 is still a year away. In the mean time, those who need good medical health insurance are urged to make good healthcare decisions, shop around online for affordable coverage, and attend important yearly checkups.
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