Professors from Columbia, Harvard, IU and UM weigh in on McCain's Healthcare Plan

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

My sister emailed me this, this morning. It's got some great information, pass it on!

http://www.acedmagazine.com/content/view/1858/34/


Professors Critique McCain's Health Insurance Reform Plan

Written by Kait Silva

Thursday, 02 October 2008
In response to presidential hopeful John McCain’s health insurance reform plan, Thomas Buchmueller of the University of Michigan, Sherry Glied of Columbia University, Katherine Swartz of the Harvard School of Public Health, and Anne Royalty of Indiana University published a comprehensive critique.

In their paper entitled Cost and Coverage Implications of the McCain Plan to Restructure Health Insurance, the professors concluded that McCain’s reform package “would eliminate the current tax exclusion of employer payments for health coverage, replace the exclusion with a refundable tax credit for those who purchase coverage, and encourage Americans to move to a national market for non-group insurance.”

The researchers focused on what they believed to be the three main facets of McCain’s health insurance reform plan. Results of the change will “tend to raise costs, reduce the generosity of benefits, and leave people with fewer consumer protections,” they said.

Part one would do away with a tax exclusion that gives subsidies to employees who get health insurance through their employers. Studies have suggested that this subsidy encourages employers to offer broader health insurance coverage to their employees. Currently, employees are eligible for the subsidy if their company is in line with the IRS non-discrimination policy, which states that health benefits must be similar for all workers despite their salary differences.


More at link. It's sourced as well.

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

1. Do I need to change the title to caps?

Or change the title completely? This is good stuff.

[FreeState]

2. K&R this line really sticks out to me...

"The researchers focused on what they believed to be the three main facets of McCain’s health insurance reform plan. Results of the change will “tend to raise costs, reduce the generosity of benefits, and leave people with fewer consumer protections,” they said. "

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

3. Yes it does.

It's a great comprehensive critique by knowledgeable people. But, I guess it's not a **wink** post! LOL

[FreeState]

9. I know... Sarah's time will be up shortly though...

I really think this was the end of her. She studied for 5 weeks for the debate and did her job (barely) and in a few days she is going to be the laughing stock again that no one takes seriously IMO.

[jacksonian]

8. other than that, it's kind of OK

Talk about fucked-up plans, the McCain/Palin health care takes the cake.

[gravity]

4. The biggest problem about his plan is it doesn't cover preexisting conditions

This is the big problem with all the free market plans. It might work if everyone is healthy to begin with, but those who need insurance the most won't be able to get it for an affordable price.

[Obamarulz11]

6. I said this last night about McCains health care plan

I've had 3 knee surgeries (HS/College football) 1 shoulder surgery. Vital signs are ok though

If i go to any Insurace company and i tell them the above. Their reaction will be no or take all of the 5grand. Then the IRS will attack you the next year.

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

5. this part as well

>>"The article speculates that the removal of the tax exclusion would severely diminish employer-based health insurance by increasing the price of work-based coverage and removing the nondiscrimination policy that keeps low-wage workers’ insurance on par with top executives. The critique estimates that twenty million Americans will loose their company-based health insurance coverage. With less people covered by their employers, individuals will likely turn to more costly and less beneficial non-group coverage." <<

[kath]

7. Thanks for this. The word needs to get out there - Obama campaign definitely should be pushing this

and HARD.

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

10. Maybe I'll repost this later too

It's really that wonderful

[FreeState]

11. Please do...

I'll try and kick it for the night crowd as well.

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

12. Will do!

Now back to work for me. I have a lawn that needs work. Ever HAVE to sell a house in these kinds of conditions? Nerve-racking!

[FreeState]

19. K&R for the late late nighters :) n/t

[Matariki]

13. Try working PETA into the subject line - or maybe OLIVE GARDEN

Kidding of course. I seem to have the same problem writing subject lines. Sometimes it seems the only posts that stay kicked are the ones that engender flame wars.

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

16. LOL- Silly me thinking the title should be about the post!

Maybe Breaking--Sex scandal!!! McCain wants to take away covered family planning! ;)

[iceman66]

14. K+R!

In a year with a lot of important issues, this is one where the difference between the two candidates could not be more stark.

Obama wants to expand health coverage to all Americans. McCain's "health care plan" would not only take away coverage from millions of Americans, but would shift even more of the tax burden onto the shoulders of the middle class.

[PA Democrat]

15. Off to the greatest page. This is an important topic.

Anyone who knows undecided voters should tell them about McCain's health care plan. It is a disaster. There will be little to no accountability when these greedy insurance companies deny benefits. Right now each state regulates companies within their state that provide health insurance and investigates complaints. I don't know what will happen if you could purchase insurance from an out-of-state company.

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

17. I tell ya what,

I've turned many a leaner with this very topic. It's good to know this one well, when talking to undecideds.

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

18. kickin' for fellow night owls!

Good stuff in there!