John McCain’s Health Care Plan

July 11th, 2008 | by caprice |

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released a document that states both liberal and conservative analyst agree that McCain’s tax credit incentives for purchasing individual health plans  would strengthen the the individual and small group insurance market by pulling some people out of the employment-based insurance programs. Yes, that’s the point, and it’s a good one. We need to use the (free) market forces so that health insurance becomes every bit as competitive as auto and home owner’s insurance. Although McCain’s $2,500 and $5,000 credits for individuals and families respectively are not actually quite enough (given the average amount that employers deduct), those amounts represent a moderate position that will increase the risk-pool numbers, resulting in greater cost parity and therefore, greater access to affordable health insurance. McCain’s proposal does not mandate or force anyone to do anything; it is an invitation, not a demand. I would like to hear from those opposed to McCain’s health insurance tax credits to understand why it is a bad thing.               (RWJF’s article link below)

http://www.rwjf.org/coverage/digest.jsp?id=8151&c=EMC-ND132