Question about healthcare
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Question about healthcare
| Thu, 10-02-2008 - 11:04am |
Good morning all!
Not technically new here, but it's been awhile since I posted (basically since the 2004 election)
I was wondering if anyone can provide any links to articles specifically about John McCain's plans for healthcare if he is elected.
Thanks :)

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Yes, I did read it.
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Those are some big IFS....there are/will soon be a lot of people unemployed and uninsured. And it doensn't say you will have protection against the cost of pre-existing conditions, but rather that you will BUILD protection. What the heck does that mean?
I don't know what the voting record was on the HIPAA legislation but I'm sure it was a shoo-in. So McCain voted for it, too. Big deal. It only limits the time that preexisting conditions can be exlcuded for coverage--it does not guarantee coverage. And there's nothing in McCain's plan that will.
This is why McCain says he will work with the governors, but exactly what would he do?
"The industry palms the bad risks onto the state and keeps the good ones for itself."
The quotes above and below are excerpts from this:
http://www.cjr.org/campaign_desk/mccains_health_proposals_under_2.php
"Earlier this year, Elizabeth Edwards attacked McCain, saying that neither he nor she would qualify for insurance under McCain’s plan. Both have had cancer, which makes them persona non grata at the House of Aetna. McCain responded on ABC’s This Week: “We’re not leaving anybody behind.” So it’s worth examining McCain’s plans for bringing everyone on board. He has proposed something called a Guaranteed Access Plan (GAP), which most closely resembles the high-risk pools that have become dumping grounds in thirty-four states for sick people insurers don’t want. High risk pools originated in the 1970s as the industry’s answer to national health insurance. Then, like now, health reform was high on the public agenda. While the number of enrollees has grown from 55,500 in 1990 to 207,000 today, the number of uninsured tops 47 million, so pool coverage is the proverbial drop in the bucket."
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http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/october/meet_the_new_health_.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQTBYQlQ7yM
Does your husband's employer pay part of his premium?
About pre-existing conditions...It talks about removing restrictions on getting insurance (making it easier)....but will the cost of insurance be higher for those who have a pre-existing condition?
<<MYTH: Some Claim That Under John McCain's Plan, Those With Pre-Existing Conditions Would Be Denied Insurance.
FACT: John McCain Supported The Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act In 1996 That Took The Important Step Of Providing Some Protection Against Exclusion Of Pre-Existing Conditions.
FACT: Nothing In John McCain's Plan Changes The Fact That If You Are Employed And Insured You Will Build Protection Against The Cost Of Any Pre-Existing Condition.
FACT: As President, John McCain Would Work With Governors To Find The Solutions Necessary To Ensure Those With Pre-Existing Conditions Are Able To Easily Access Care>>
No, that is what your dh pays. His employer pays the rest, which is likely quite a lot. The part that his employer pays will be taxed under McCain's plan. Currently it is not taxed. So, the part that his employer pays will be part of that 5K credit.
Also, employers get discounts on health insurance for their employees. So, insurance on company plans is usually a lot cheaper than insurance bought privately. This is one of the big problems with insurance in the US.
Most of the people who do not have insurance (about 40 million people) do not have jobs that offer health insurance. Many jobs do not give such benefits. Either it is not offered at all or else it is offered, but the employer does not pay any of the cost, making the typical cost, even with the discount, around 800-1200 dollars a month for a family. That is out of reach for many middle class families. The 5K credit will not fix that, at all. Also, a tax credit does not amount to the government paying you.
I strongly suggest you read some more about how health insurance works in the US. You are one of the very lucky ones, with affordable employer subsidized health care. That is going out of style (due to cost). Most people do not have what you have.
Yes, that sounds like what is usually referred to as catastrophic health insurance. IOW, it will not do much to cover typical medical expenses, but will kick in if you get seriously ill. it can work reasonably well for younger, healthier people who have decent income and no kids. For people with limited income and/or kids this kind of insurance will often result in the family skipping check-ups, tests and other preventive care. Also, for a family the premium will still be around 400-500 bucks a month and the deductible will be higher as well. So, a family would be looking at spending around 5K for the insurance itself and having around 5K to shell out before the insurance kicked in.
ETA: In your own example, you pay 2K a year for the insurance and you have to spend 2700 before you get any benefit. So, you total for the year is 4700, but under McCain's plan your tax credit (as a single person) would be 2500. IOW, only enough to cover bare bones insurance and providing a heavy incentive not to go to the doctor for a check-up, for example, or a colon cancer screen etc.
Edited 10/3/2008 9:15 am ET by sild
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