BellaOnline Forums News and Politics Republican Party Nothing to say about Health Care Plan?

I am curious if anyone else is worried about McCain's health care plans.

I read his plan on his own site and essentially what will happen is that if your employer now provides health coverage for you and your family, whatever that cost, whatever they pay for will now be INCOME to you. The average employer spends 12 to 15K a year on health coverage for a family of four so we'll use those numbers.

Then typically you pay another 100 to 200 a month on top of that, but that part doesn't even figure into this issue.

If your income goes up by 12K but you get a 5k per family credit then your income still goes up by 7K. Your employer no longer gets to write off the amount they pay in insurance costs or get any type of benefits for providing you group coverage... so now they pay more payroll taxes because you just got a "raise". On a side note if you now pay child support your child support will now go up, your taxes will go up, but there will be no real change in income.

Many employers will stop providing group coverage. if you don't get Group coverage insurance companies aren't going to cover a lot of people especially people with pre existing conditions or if you're 10 lbs over or under weight or really for any reason at all.

I know someone who was turned down for individual coverage because she had previous surgery for appendicitis. Plus, no family can be covered on individual insurance for 5K a year with insurance of any consequence. We actually had "that" insurance once and it never paid a dime towards anyone's care and to this day I am not sure why we had it.

Anyway, McCain's answer to this isthat he'll open the boarders up between states and you can buy into any plan. Well that is an issue to me too because all insurance companies will move to the state with the lowest requirements.

Anyway this plan will essentially ruin our health care system in the USA. Frankly it scares the heck out of me. I like the insurance I have now.

While I'm not an Obama Fan either, McCain's health care plan is just so wrong and unworkable on so many levels. It will not help anyone new and will hurt those of us who already have great health coverage.

With Obama's plan nothing will change for me at all in terms of Health insurance.

I will pay about 1000 a year more in Taxes under Obama, but under McCain's plan I think my family would be hurt worse due to the health insurance problem.

I find it really funny that no one has anything to say about McCain's health care plan. No defense for it?

McCain and Obama have essentially the same rhetoric - They want a system of health care in which everyone can afford and acquire the treatment and preventative care they need. Health care should be available to all and not limited by where you work or how much you make.

Neither plan is a great option. With Obama's plan, we're going to see a lot businesses that could easily provide health care coverage to employees opt not to do so; and we'll see a lot more people go straight into the government system. Which means higher dollar tax expenditures, which doesn't at all match his lower tax per person rhetoric. Under McCain, we have the issue of having to pay taxes on benefits provided above a certain point; which knocks out any real benefit from "increased access."

The bottom line for me, however, is that they can propose all they want to; but, without the backing of Congress, its not going to go anywhere.

Thanks, Lynn, for this information and your thoughts. I feel the same about the "bottom line" you noted. We are protected by the fact that this is not a dictatorial leadership in our country - but, one where we have Congress to approve or disapprove proposals.

Obama's and McCain's plans are VASTLY different.

Under Obama's plan if you have coverage already, nothing will change. There is absolutely NOTHING in Obama's plan that would encourage employers to opt out of providing it IMO. Can you tell me specifically what about Obama's plan would encourage employers who can provide not to?

I explained McCain's plan. His plan is a GREAT danger to those with health insurance already and will do nothing to enable those without to afford it.

I specifically put McCain's plan here because this is the Republican Forum and I think some discussion about it would be beneficial.

I've done that. If it's not the answer you prefer, I'm sorry.

The only difference between Obama's plan and McCain's plan is the medthodology and the structure of financing. Their end goals are the same. They want a system of health care in which everyone can afford and acquire the treatment and preventative care they need. Health care should be available to all and not limited by where you work or how much you make.

Neither plan is "dangerous" but neither is either plan truly beneficial. In both, the taxpayer/employee is going to bear the brunt of the cost.

My vote isn't going to hinge on their health care plan.

According to my husband, we'll actually benefit more from McCain's plan than from Obama's. Since he carries our family insurance I don't really know all the numbers to give as an example as to how we would benefit, but I trust my husband and his calculations.

As for my own personal opinion, based on what I know and understand, I am not wild about either plan and don't really support either. I think they are both flawed. I have never had a problem getting health care. Not when I was a single mom or as a wife as I am now. I've always been covered. Most states have their own plans and programs in place, correct? I think that state level is a great place to start with health care reform.

I think the democrats use health care and medicare issues as scare tactics. Rush gave some figures today so once his transcript is up, I'll be happy to share. You may not like Rush, but I do challenge you to prove him wrong. The truth is the truth, no matter whose mouth it comes from. Democrats have been threatening for years about medicare and how people will get less etc. and it has yet to happen. In fact, in 2009, there will be an increase, the largest since 1982.
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I sure hope you research things on your own and don't just vote for who your husband instructs because he's wrong on this issue. The only one in this race that is using scare tactics is the McCain/Palin camp.

Despite what you may have heard Rush is not an expert on these issues but if you want to listen to a guy, smoking his cigar in his palm beach mansion telling you that people on min wage are paid too much, go ahead.

Here is a low down on both plans.

Obama's plan-

Regulatory approach- Protect the Consumer
Security of coverage- No one denied
Change in family health spending -Savings of 2, 500 a year per family
Use of Funds-Money Save reinvested in coverage
Change in employer-sponsored insurance- Additional 10 million enrollees
Change in overall coverage- Projected 98 to 99% increase in coverage
Impact on job creation- 90,000 jobs
Total cost= $50 to 150 billion a year


McCain's Plan

Regulatory Approach- Deregulate, like banking
Security of coverage- The sick may be denied coverage
Change in family Health Spending- no change
Use of funds-Money saved used to fund high-income tax cuts
Change in Employer Sponsored insurance- Loss of 20 million
Change in Overall Coverage- No increase in coverage
Impact on job creation- Not estimated
Total Cost- 130 Billion a year on average 2009-2019

Hi J.Barry - I merged your original thread into this one, so it would be easier for people to see your original thoughts.