Barack Obama and John McCain on Affordable, Quality Health Care
Excerpts from an AARP hosted, live Q&A session with Senators Barack Obama and John McCain at the Annual AARP Member Event in Washington D.C., September 4 – 6th.
Obama on Health Care ReformBarack Obama proposes that people should be able to buy into a health care plan that is similar to the Federal Health Care Employees Plan. The plan would not exclude for preexisting conditions, and the government would provide subsidies for families that can’t afford the premiums.
Barack emphasized that in order to afford to subsidize premiums, you have to emphasize prevention in our health care system. Obama says that if everyone has coverage, and everyone gets better care on the front end, then it will cost less on the back end.
Obama brought up Medicare as an example, explaining that if people have been receiving quality care (through a universal health care plan) up to the point that they become Medicare eligible, than the overall cost of Medicare will go down, as the people entering the plan will be healthier.
Additional details of Barack’s proposals on health care reform can be found on his website.
McCain on Health Care ReformJohn McCain proposes establishing GAPS, which are Government Approved Plans; basically a partnership between federal and state governments, whereby both parties contribute funds to risk pools to provide insurance for individuals caught in a gap without insurance.
McCain brought up the point that it is a disturbing sign that there is a growing lack of fitness and wellness in young people. His comments discussed a health care system that will reward people for practicing wellness and fitness.
John McCain’s website talks about establishing a $5,000 tax credit so families can use this credit to offset the cost of insurance.
I think the tax credit is a good idea in theory; but in reality, if you have lost your job, and you are not Medicare eligible yet, how are you going to afford to make those health care premium payments until you get your tax credit?
Additional details about John McCain’s vision for health care reform can be found on his website.
