McCain unveils new health care plan

[Saguaro]

CNN) –-A tax credit to help individuals and families buy health insurance will be at the heart of a health care proposal Sen. John McCain is expected to unveil Tuesday.

The credits will spark greater competition among insurance providers and put “individuals and families back in charge” the presumptive Republican presidential nominee will say during a speech in Tampa, Florida, according to excerpts of his speech released by his campaign.

Millions of Americans would be making their own health care choices again,” McCain will say, according to the prepared text of the speech. “Insurance companies could no longer take your business for granted, offering narrow plans with escalating costs.”

In McCain's plan, individuals will be eligible for a $2,500 credit and families a $5,000 credit to help buy health insurance if they do not subscribe to health insurance provided by an employer. The government would directly send the money to insurers.

McCain will also propose that the government set up a non-profit Guaranteed Access Plan to provide coverage to individuals who are denied coverage from private insurers due to pre-existing conditions.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/

[Indy]

A noble idea that might work. At least he is trying to address the healthcare issue instead of denying that exists like many members of his party.

[Trueblue]

I don't see how it can work for all Americans, only the healthy ones.

[Indy]

Good point, Tb. People with pre-existing illnesses would still not be able to purchase insurance.

[Trueblue]

And huge numbers of us have a pre-existing condition. My migraine headaches are a pre-existing condition, for example. High cholesterol. Acne. Allergies. Minor health problems become barriers to coverage.

[sparks]

Are tax credits the only solution the Pubs can come up with? It's like their stuck on stupid or something! :roll

[Saguaro]

Weeeeeelllll, they all did vote for Bush

[Trueblue]

Weeeeeelllll, they all did vote for Bush

:LL

McCain said that Obama and Hillary wanted the government to control the program, which is false. It made a cute soundbite, but he didn't get by with it.

[Yellowdogtexan]

I don't see how it can work for all Americans, only the healthy ones.mclame has been covered by govt subsidize or paid health insurance for his entire life and so is cluless as to what the real issues are here. His plan is basically to tell the American people not to get sick.

[issac the dragon]

Along with his health care plan, he has said everyone should pay taxes on any health insurance they get from work. Gee, would the deduction equal the tax? Federal and state. Because the states will tax it too. They never miss an opportunity to tax more.

I'd like to talk to him about the real world. He doesn't have a clue.

[jim]

Along with his health care plan, he has said everyone should pay taxes on any health insurance they get from work. Gee, would the deduction equal the tax? Federal and state. Because the states will tax it too. They never miss an opportunity to tax more.

I'd like to talk to him about the real world. He doesn't have a clue.

None of the super rich do:hotdog:monkey

[Partyless]

Actually he's borrowing the concept of the pre-bate from The Fair Tax - he's saying what employers are subsidized for insurance would be passed to the consumer as a pre-bate so they could help pay for their own.

As for any pre-existing conditions, McCain et all will have to strong arm the insurance industry to relax those standards and allow for people with diabetes, allergies, etc. to get insurance to ensure they stay healthy or don't get sicker from their conditions. I'd like to see the pre-existing condition requirement lifted for cancer survivors, too - those folks have gone to hell and back to beat an illness only to be uninsurable for beating it. Same logic many current health care plans have about wellness visits not being covered to prevent you from needing the higher cost items when you do get sick.

The whole thing needs an overhaul. While I'm not sure McCain's plan will every fly amongst the greed of the insurance and pharm industries, it's the most viable plan I've read about in a while.

I don't trust this government with my healthcare choices. If some regulations and restrictions could be put in place to avoid corruption and blatant abuse of the system, I'm all for privatization of a 'universal' healthcare plan for all.