As a personal trainer, part of my role is to educate clients on healthy decisions. Although these traditionally encompass exercise and diet, much talk around our gym lately has revolved around healthcare.
By 2025, over 100 million Americans will be over the age of 65, while spiraling healthcare costs will leave a good majority of these individuals without healthcare insurance.
With the 2008 elections just around the corner, some propose universal healthcare as a solution to this issue, while others feel this will result in greater costs and lesser return on investment. So where do the candidates stand on the issue?
To clarify the truths from the heresy, Listed below are a few key points (and differences) from the healthcare plans of both John Mccain and Barack Obama:
John McCain: Improved freedom of choice and competition:
- A new national healthcare exchange in which state borders are eliminated and healthcare plans can freely compete on national level. This increased competition would likely lead to more lower rates and improved coverage for consumers.
- 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. Families will be able to choose the insurance provider that suits them best and the money would be sent directly to the insurance provider.
- Those obtaining innovative insurance that costs less than the credit can deposit the remainder in expanded Health Savings Accounts.
- Allowing states more freedom to regulate healthcare by developing a best practice model – a Guaranteed Access Plan or GAP – that would regulate healthcare premiums and insurance fair competition.
- Allowing Medicaid and SCHIP funds to be used for private insurance and develop methods to augment Medicaid and tax credits for more expensive care.
Myth: McCain’s plan will raise drug prices by restricting the ability to purchase generic drugs
Fact: McCain supports greater competition to our drug markets by safe re-importation of drugs, by faster introduction of generic drugs, or by any other means.
Source: http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/19ba2f1c-c03f-4ac2-8cd5-5cf2edb527cf.htm
Barack Obama: Universal government healthcare:
- A new Public National Health Plan, similar to the coverage available to federal employees. These plans will be available to all Americans, regardless of their health status, for an affordable premium. Copays and deductibles will be kept to a minimum, and subsidies may be available for low-income individuals.
- A new National Health Insurance Exchange to help Americans find private insurance plans. The Exchange will regulate insurance plans to ensure that they meet the same standards as the Public National Health Plan.
- A new business mandate that will require businesses to contribute toward the cost of the Public National Health Plan
- An individual mandate for children
- Increased support for existing safety net programs, such as Medicaid and SCHIP
- Tax incentives for preventative healthcare programs (worksite wellness, smoking cessation, etc)
Myth: All Americans would be required to purchase universal healthcare insurance:
Fact: Unlike the plan originally proposed by Senator Hillary Clinton, who would require all Americans to obtain health coverage, Obama only mandates coverage for children. Adults are encouraged, but not required, to obtain coverage under his proposal.
Learn more at: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/pdf/HealthCareFullPlan.pdf
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