Head to head on health care

Jul. 14, 2008 02:35 PM
The Arizona Republic

	Barack Obama	John McCain
Uninsured	Obama: Advocates a new national health plan that would be similar to the Medicare program that provides coverage for senior citizens. All children would be covered, either through an expanded State Children's Health Insurance Plan (SCHIP) or private plans. Young adults could be carried on their parents' insurance until they are 25. His goal is universal health coverage by 2012.	McCain: Would reduce the ranks of the uninsured through a combination of tax credits, promoting health-savings accounts and increased competition among private insurers. He would eliminate the tax exclusion on employer-paid benefits. The federal government would give a $2,500 tax credit for individuals or $5,000 for families to purchase private insurance or sock away in a medical savings account. Also, McCain would work with states to create a "guaranteed access plan" that would provide coverage for people who have had difficulty securing private insurance due to pre-existing medical conditions or other reasons.
Impact on employers	Obama: Employers would be required to help pay for health insurance for employees or contribute a portion of their payroll to a national health plan. Some small businesses would be exempt (based on revenue thresholds).	McCain: It's unknown what impact McCain's plan would have on employer-sponsored health plans. Employees would have the option of taking the tax credit and dropping their employer-based health coverage. Some experts believe that would be an appealing option for younger, healthier workers who can purchase inexpensive private insurance.
Private insurance companies	Obama: Private insurers would be subject to oversight by a group called the national health insurance exchange. Insurance companies would be required to issue a policy to every applicant and could not reject applicants based on pre-existing medical conditions.	McCain: His plan to offer tax credits to consumers may bolster private insurance plans, particularly those that sell to individual consumers rather than groups such as large employers.
Consumers	Obama: Consumers could purchase private insurance or the government's plan.	McCain: People would get tax credits and would have access to portable insurance that provides coverage even if they switch jobs.
Prescription drugs	Obama: Would allow consumers to purchase cheaper prescription drugs abroad if they are proven safe. Wants generic drugs to be made available sooner.	McCain: Would allow consumers to purchase cheaper prescription drugs abroad if they are proven safe. Wants generic drugs to be made available sooner.
Technology	Obama: Would spend $50 billion over five years to establish advanced information technology for health providers to reduce costs, medical errors and inefficiency. Also would advocate federal funding to biomedical research.	McCain: Would spend an unspecified amount to establish advanced information technology for health providers to reduce costs, medical errors and inefficiency. Also would advocate federal funding to biomedical research.