McCain health care.

[raum]

http://www.taxfoundation.org/publicatio ... 23610.html

[raum]

Conclusion

Health care costs and tax policy are major preoccupations of the American people, and that is reflected in the proposals of the presidential candidates. Senator McCain's tax credit approach to health insurance would give every citizen a powerful incentive to purchase health insurance: $2,500 (individual coverage) or $5,000 (family coverage), no matter what the cost of the insurance. Moreover, it reduces systemic biases in our health care system that have contributed to high cost growth. The improved efficiency that should result from the McCain credit, combined with a powerful incentive to purchase health insurance and a beneficial effect for low-income people, would seem to make this policy particularly attractive to both sides of the political spectrum. Few government programs kill two birds with one stone, but the McCain health credit seems to be one that could.

[Fapper]

so let's go for it!

[AYHJA]

I'm curious...

Of the countries that have universal healthcare, how many of them follow a model that even resembles McCain's plan..? Oh shit, I think we're the only country in the modern world w/o universal healthcare..

The biggest problem IMO, and why healthcare is so ridiculous is pre-existing conditions...I mean, lets face it...How quick would you be to lend me your car if you knew I wrecked 1 of every 10 times I got behind the wheel...Assuming you are healthy, McCain's plan seems good...But it still doesn't change the fact that a company can shit on me for having asthma, does it..? If it does, I missed that part in his proposal...

I find it ironic that McCain wants to cut spending on healthcare, but is willing to stay in Iraq for as long as it takes...As a consumer...If I knew my tax dollars were being spent on a health system or waging a ridiculous war, what would I choose..?

Obama's plan bars any insurer in the exchange from denying coverage to anyone because of illness or pre-existing conditions.

Plus, as its been pointed out, McCain's plan gives you the 5K tax credit, but he basically wants to deregulate it...Considering that the majority of countries like ours already have universal heathcare...Isn't it easier, and makes more sense to improve upon existing models rather than allow insurance companies to continue practices that have us in a healthcare crisis in the firt place..?

[raum]

I'm curious...

Of the countries that have universal healthcare, how many of them follow a model that even resembles McCain's plan..?

America is not about following models, its about making them.

Oh shit, I think we're the only country in the modern world w/o universal healthcare..

Trust me, Ty, you do not want universal healthcare. Let me give you a story. a girl i know is Canadian amercian was highrisk pregnant, she got a abortion; a chemical one, as Canada provides a shot. it didn't work. she was going to be left with a deformed child, and that was if it didn't out and out kill her and the child.

She came down to America, and paid for one, because as far as "universal healthcare' was concerned, they had done their part. she could afford a American abortion at a clinic. what about the people who couldn't. Universal healthcare puts a level of beauracracy between you and your doctor you do not want.

however, from McCain's website:

A Specific Plan of Action: Ensuring Care for Higher Risk Patients

John McCain's Plan Cares For The Traditionally Uninsurable. John McCain understands that those without prior group coverage and those with pre-existing conditions have the most difficulty on the individual market, and we need to make sure they get the high-quality coverage they need.

John McCain Will Work With States To Establish A Guaranteed Access Plan. As President, John McCain will work with governors to develop a best practice model that states can follow - a Guaranteed Access Plan or GAP - that would reflect the best experience of the states to ensure these patients have access to health coverage. One approach would establish a nonprofit corporation that would contract with insurers to cover patients who have been denied insurance and could join with other state plans to enlarge pools and lower overhead costs. There would be reasonable limits on premiums, and assistance would be available for Americans below a certain income level.

John McCain Will Promote Proper Incentives. John McCain will work with Congress, the governors, and industry to make sure this approach is funded adequately and has the right incentives to reduce costs such as disease management, individual case management, and health and wellness programs.

Plus, as its been pointed out, McCain's plan gives you the 5K tax credit, but he basically wants to deregulate it...Considering that the majority of countries like ours already have universal heathcare...Isn't it easier, and makes more sense to improve upon existing models rather than allow insurance companies to continue practices that have us in a healthcare crisis in the firt place..?

find out the facts of universal healthcare:

And what does the World Health Organization's data conceal? That the United Kingdom and Canadian health care systems focus more on saving money than on caring for patients. As a result, citizens of these countries experience long wait times, a lack of access to certain treatments and, in many instances, substandard medical care.

For example, a typical Canadian seeking surgical or other therapeutic treatment had to wait 18.3 weeks in 2007 -- an all-time high. Approximately 875,000 Canadians are currently on waiting lists for medical treatment. ...

It's no better across the Atlantic. The average wait time for bypass surgery in New York is 17 days -- compared to 72 days in the Netherlands and 59 days in Sweden.

Patients with serious illnesses such as cancer face much longer odds of survival in government-run health care systems. In the United Kingdom, the five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with breast cancer early on is 78 percent -- compared to 98 percent for similar patients in the U.S.

There is no such thing as a free lunch, and band-aids and inhalers cost money too.

International Universal healthcare models also allow for pharmaceutical companies to bid with no competition, like Clinton let KBR Halliburton do for defense contract. It's the only way they work.

[trashtalkr]

I completely agree Raum. Universal healthcare would be the end of American medicine as we know it. Our level of care will greatly decrease because the money isn't there to fund it. This is a huge issue of the election and McCain's plan hits is right on the head

[AYHJA]

I must really not be getting it...Dude says, 'If you have a plan that works, you can keep it, and we'll help lower your premiums'...And now tt says the end of American medicine is near..? LoL...

Guys, what am I missing..? In my eyes, he's saying that people who are generally too poor to afford it will be able to...Not talking about popping up free clinics on every corner without any other alternative options for care, wth..? CDR..

[trashtalkr]

I'm all for making healthcare afforable, but if it is regulated by the government, then the doctors, hospitals, and research facilities are not receiving the money they need to keep up to date on all the changes in medicine. Just look at countries like Denmark that used to have privatized healthcare but changed to government regulated - their standard of care has decreased significantly

[blixa]

I am soon to get 2 grand from the Govt to have dental work done...... My situation isn't life threatening, and it was a very simple process to get the money, chances are I will have the money 3 months from when I first saw a doctor. I will not have to wait long to get the surgery done?

is that bad?

Members of my family and friends whom have died from cancer, heart problems been in accidents etc etc...have always recieved reasonable care, quite good care in some circumstances, everyone i know always manages to get to see someone about their problems, and if you have private health insurance you are sitting pretty. You do sometimes end up with a bit of a bill, but nothing like what you would get in the states.

Migrants I know who come here can't believe how cheap/free it is to see a doctor or a specialist.

yes there are waiting times and problems and horror stories but alot of these could be fixed by less beauracracy, greater efficiancy, better work practice and organization.

[raum]

blixa, are you australian?

If so, your country has a VASTLY different situation than us.

But both your country and ours both already spend about 8.5% of their GDP wealth on healthcare. The difference is how it is utilized, and how people in a welfare system have NO INCENTIVE to improve their life. I believe in emergency healthcare as a right of citizens and guests, and provisional healthcare as the responsibility of the individual by provision of the government. I also believe if you want, you should be able to defer your health credit into a taxfree healthcare investment account, for the uncertainties in life.

mine is a hybrid of the two candidate's plans... with less overall coverage unless it is needed. all high risk conditions should have higher premiums (sorry ty, btu that also means ang would be higher as well, if that is possible!) as part of the risk analysis, but ALL of the premium adjustments for high risk should be tax deductible, even to the point where someone is exempt, because their 'happiness" is such a burden on their efforts to pursue their livelyhood. This is in addition to a $10,000 dollar credit taxable credit per dependent. THAT TAX IS TO PAY ALL OTHER NATIONAL HEALTH CARE THOSE WHO CAN NOT AFFORD THEIR OWN. An investment in the health of America.

Then, you have everyone with "minimal but adequate coverage" with special provisions for special cases. (it works well enough for vehicle insurance outside of the inevitable corruption in all insurance ANYWHERE, but if there is a necessary evil it is insurance we do not interfere with the freedoms and assets of others), and what is the body, but a vehicle?

I am soon to get 2 grand from the Govt to have dental work done...... My situation isn't life threatening, and it was a very simple process to get the money, chances are I will have the money 3 months from when I first saw a doctor. I will not have to wait long to get the surgery done?

is that bad?

Members of my family and friends whom have died from cancer, heart problems been in accidents etc etc...have always recieved reasonable care, quite good care in some circumstances, everyone i know always manages to get to see someone about their problems, and if you have private health insurance you are sitting pretty. You do sometimes end up with a bit of a bill, but nothing like what you would get in the states.

Migrants I know who come here can't believe how cheap/free it is to see a doctor or a specialist.

yes there are waiting times and problems and horror stories but alot of these could be fixed by less beauracracy, greater efficiancy, better work practice and organization.

8.5% of your GDP gets you far more than our own... mainly due to US manipulation of the healthcare system, useless procedurism, lawsuits, and collection attempts in vain made by HMO's that get reimbursed not just for the unpaid bill but the collection attempts (WTF!!!).