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Exploring the Candidates - Health Care

Big0ne

Shared on Fri, 10/31/2008 - 09:42

 

Health Care
 
            Obama:
 
-          Require insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions so all Americans regardless of their health status or history can get comprehensive benefits at fair and stable premiums.
-          Establish a National Health Insurance Exchange with a range of private insurance options as well as a new public plan based on benefits available to members of Congress that will allow individuals and small businesses to buy affordable health coverage.
 
McCain:
 
-    Work With States To Establish A Guaranteed Access Plan.
-          While still having the option of employer-based coverage, every family will receive a direct refundable tax credit - effectively cash - of $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families to offset the cost of insurance.
 
My Opinion:
 
There’s a lot more on each of the websites talking about all manner of health care issues, but quite frankly, I don’t give a damn. This isn’t an issue either candidate should be focusing on in my opinion. There is no Constitutional mandate to guarantees health care to all U.S. citizens, nor do I think there should be. Why are Federally elected officials spending so much time talking about something they have no Constitutional authority/obligation to enact?
 
Do we really want the government in charge of something like this? Obama would provide a “new public plan based on benefits available to Congress” for everyone not insured. Why would any employer or individual pay for insurance if he’ll offer it for free? Speaking of Congress, quit harping on how good their plan is and how everyone else should have it. If I want the Congressional Health Care Plan, I’ll run for Congress. Besides, I’m sure if you weren’t voting for your own plan, it wouldn’t be nearly as nice.
 
This is an area where I think both candidates get a -1. While McCain’s plan does focus more on individual responsibility, there’s still too much Federal government involvement for my taste. Obama’s plan is socialism at its finest.

Comments

Azuredreams's picture
Submitted by Azuredreams on Fri, 10/31/2008 - 11:35
Ekattan you said that you are willing to pay so that everyone can have healthcare yet you don't live in the US anymore right? If I lived in another country I wouldn't give a rat's ass what people in the US paid in taxes ethier. Also 10 cents of every dollar earned is a HUGE bite into your earnings, especially considering how much we already pay in taxes. My uncle owns his own appraisals buisness and it's just him an assistant and a part time secretary. The government takes 46% of his earnings for taxes already, that's before payroll etc. Under Obama's plan not only will his taxes be raised to pay for his trillion dollars of new government spending, but he will also be fined if he does not provide the health care Obama mandates for his buisness.
ekattan's picture
Submitted by ekattan on Fri, 10/31/2008 - 09:48
Healthcare isn't not a given right of course. But don't you think the greatest nation in the world should have free healthcare? Your families and your personal health is the most important thing in life. All your priorities change when someone you love or you yourself fall ill. My father pays $300 for a cough suppressant my mom takes, of course she has insurance, but what about the people that don't? Nations like the UK, Sweden, Finland all have successful healthcare systems for all their citizens, why can't the US?
MTK005's picture
Submitted by MTK005 on Fri, 10/31/2008 - 09:55
Big, are any of your rants going to be Pro-Obama? I understand why you're doing this, but when the results of every issue you are goign to discuss are so obvious... :-)
Big0ne's picture
Submitted by Big0ne on Fri, 10/31/2008 - 09:57
To say that the health care system in the UK is successful is highly debatable. Quite frankly arguments for policy based on what country XYZ does are sort of empty in my opinion. It's like saying "Everyone else is doing it, why can't we?" What's good or bad for others may not be good or bad for us. We live in a unique culture and have a unique Constitution. Also, there's no such thing as "free healthcare". You will pay from your pocket or you will pay from your taxes, but you WILL pay. The question is, who do you trust to be in charge, you or the government?
Big0ne's picture
Submitted by Big0ne on Fri, 10/31/2008 - 10:01
MTK - I think I was anti-both in this case and basically neutral in the previous blog. Feel free to point out the flaw in my opinion if you'd like though. :D I don't pretend to have all the answers and my opinion is only that. I'm quite open to a reasonable position that is different than mine if someone can show me the logic or sensibility of it.
ekattan's picture
Submitted by ekattan on Fri, 10/31/2008 - 10:15
There are millions that can't afford healthcare Big. If the government wants to take 10 cents out of every dollar that I make so those people can get decent coverage and cheap meds I'm most willing. It hurst me too see patients being turn away at hospitals. Senior citizens paying for expensive meds because of all the pharmaceutical lobbying in congress. Patients enduring pain because they can't afford pain medications. To me this is unacceptable, specially in this great country.
Castlemonster's picture
Submitted by Castlemonster on Fri, 10/31/2008 - 10:28
Then why aren't you taking that dime out now and putting it in a fund that you then give to people that need it? No reason you can't do it already. If you set it up right, you can even get tax credit for it. I personally think Healthcare is a big deal and not sure if "universal care" is the right answer, but the spiraling costs are paying somewhere for something. Somebody is making a lot of money on the people that CAN afford it. Which keeps the people that CAN'T afford it, from affording it. I'm not sure the free market works on something that doesn't have an "upper end" to its value (i.e. someone's life/health). The free market is based on supply/demand and the ability for prices to accurately reflect what someone is willing to pay for a product or service. For many, there is no upper limit on a person's health or life. Not sure I have the answer, but I don't think capitalism works as well for health. And I'm a fiscal conservative BTW! :D

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