Re: The Partisan Divide - The McCain and Obama Plans for U.S. Health Care Reform

[Guest guest]

Well, the idea of small businesses (did I hear someone say "Doctor Office"?) being able to pool themselves so they can bargain for better priced health insurace as a large group is a common sense idea that even I thought of in the past. I just wondered (still do) why no one does it. Not legal, maybe? See, the AMA should have set something like this up for private practices owned by members. Theyhave some sort of discount plan, but not something like this.

The Partisan Divide - The McCain and Obama Plans for U.S. Health Care Reform

Interesting commentary on McCain vs Obama health policy.

The link to the NEJM article is here...

http://content. nejm.org/ cgi/content/ full/359/ 8/781

If you want to listen to Oberlander talk on Fresh Air, sure to here...

http://www.npr. org/templates/ story/story. php?storyId= 93975730

I'm not sure if Oberlander has a particular ax to grind either way, but the basics of each policy and possible pro's and con's are interesting.

A Partisan Divide On Health Care Reform

Listen Now [33 min 34 sec] add to playlist

Oberlander is the author of The Political Life of Medicare.

Fresh Air from WHYY, August 26, 2008 · Though McCain and Barack Obama agree that America's health care system needs reform, the candidates differ markedly in their vision of the remedy.

Political scientist Oberlander offers an in-depth comparison of the Obama and McCain health proposals. Oberland compared the candidates in his report, "The Partisan Divide — The McCain and Obama Plans for U.S. Health Care Reform," which was published Aug. 21, 2008 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Oberlander is an associate professor of social medicine and health policy and administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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Election 2008

Candidates' Health Care Plans: Private Vs. Public

by Rovner

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Comparing The Plans

McCain: He would replace the current tax-free status of health insurance coverage provided by employers with refundable tax credits worth $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families to help purchase insurance. McCain would allow the sale of insurance policies across state lines, rather than state by state, as is currently the case. Obama: He would create a new plan for those who lack other access to coverage, as well as a National Health Insurance Exchange to help pool the purchasing power of small businesses and individuals. Obama would also offer a combination of subsidies and tax credits to help make coverage more affordable. He would mandate health insurance coverage for children, but not adults. Obama would create a federally sponsored health insurance plan, similar to Medicare, that would compete with private plans for those under age 65.

Locke, MD