Obama Calls McCain's Health Care Plan "Radical"
(CBS)
(CHICAGO) Barack Obama will bring health care back into the spotlight today, after weeks of heavy emphasis on the economy.
At a rally in Newport News, Virginia, Obama will blast John McCain’s health care plan, which he describes as being “radical.”
McCain is offering up a proposal to tax health care benefits received through the workplace, but in return, he would give a $2,500 tax credit for individuals and $5,000 for families. The tax credits would be paid directly to the insurance companies.
According to excerpts from Obama’s speech today, he will argue that McCain essentially will be raising taxes because the tax credit will not directly go back to individuals.
“You read the fine print, it’s clear that John McCain is pulling an old Washington bait and switch. It’s a shell game,” Obama will say. “He gives you a tax credit with one hand – but raises your taxes with the other.”
Obama is advocating for a universal health care plan, which would be largely financed by eliminating the Bush tax cuts. While Obama’s program would be cost between $50 - $65 billion per year, he says the average consumer would save $2,500.
The campaign will also unveil four new TV ads, radio ads, and mailers which will criticize McCain’s health care proposals.
I do not understand how this will help those people who do not earn enough money to earn the tax credit. How can you give a tax credit to someone whose taxes are below that amount? These are the people who crowd our emergency rooms and who really need help.
Further, why must the Republicans always give the money to insurance companies ~ aren''t they rich enough off the tax payer already?
Wouldn''t "ineffective" or "mundane"
be better? And make me think the maverick will address the issue more competently?
''Radical'' makes me think I should be afraid of it -- oops, there is that fear thing again.
Be afraid, must be afraid. :shiver:
Still don''t like it -- RADICAL does not begin to address why this lack of health care coverage has continued in this country while the pork and and misuse of money has gone on so long.
Hope Obama drives this home better than "radical" wrong. Tell people to do the right thing and why better health costs less for everyone and is efficient.
Those Bail Out Crooks Are Counting On Obama Appointing One of them as Attorney General so they can avoid prison time.
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=67068
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheMouthPeace
Obama wants government to subsidize the cost of health coverage for those who might not be able to afford it on their own. He would require all but small businesses to make a "meaningful" payment for workers'' health coverage, OR contribute a percentage of payroll to the cost.
McCain proposes more patient control over care, and how health care dollars are spent. His tax credit could help people buy insurance through employers or directly from insurers licensed in any state.
The assessment published in Health Affairs found that McCain''s plan could lead to employers declining to offer coverage if workers can get it elsewhere. And that Obama''s requirement for employer contributions would lead to JOB LOSSES or PAY CUTS.
The cost to government, in additional agencies and offices employing an undetermined number of employees, to implement/administer Obama''s health care plan could, I suspect, exceed the cost of paying for everyone''s health care. Any plan MUST be fiscally responsible.
It seems more prudent to address the health care issue with a tax credit like McCain''s proposal, not necessarily identical, but a tax credit that could be administered by existing agencies to minimize startup/administration costs.