Democratic candidates on health care

October 9, 8:04 AMProgressive Politics ExaminerKaren Harper

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www.barackobama.com

One of the issues I have looked at most closely during this presidential campaign is health care and health insurance.  This is an issue that is very important to me because my husband and I pay over $1200 a month for health insurance while each of us has a $500 deductible we must meet every year.

Barack Obama’s Health Care plan is aimed at lowering costs for both small business employers and individuals.  Under Obama’s plan most people will pay $2,500 per year less than they are now paying.

Individuals:  For people without health insurance, affordable health insurance will be offered through a newly created National Health Insurance Exchange Network.  No one will be turned down because of pre-existing conditions. People who already have health insurance can keep what they have if they are happy with it but can choose from a newly created National Health Care Insurance Exchange Network if they are unhappy with it.

Children Will be Covered: Under Barack Obama’s Health Care program, every American child will be required to have insurance.  Young parents will receive help enrolling their children in affordable health care programs and if they cannot afford to pay for health care insurance, they will be helped to enroll their children in Medicare or other government assisted health care.  

Small Businesses: Under the Obama plan, businesses will be given tax credits to help pay for employees health benefits.  Small businesses that cannot afford to enroll employees in quality health care programs will be eligible to choose an affordable health insurance for employees through the Obama created National Health Insurance Exchange Network.  If any employer finds they cannot afford the premiums, the government will assist them in providing insurance for employees.

Self-Employed: People like my husband and I who are self-employed, will be able to choose an affordable health care plan from the National Health Insurance Exchange Network.

Large Businesses: Large Corporations and companies will be required to enroll employees in health care programs if they aren’t doing so already.

Health Insurance Companies: Health Insurance Companies will be required to accept people who have pre-existing conditions.


Preventative Care: Another aspect of the Barack Obama Health Care plan involves preventative care.  Recognizing that many of today’s chronic illnesses are preventable, the Obama plan will work with health providers and hospitals to promote preventative health care.  Preventative medicine can go a long way towards keeping health care costs down in the future.  

Administrative Costs: Another area the Obama plan intends to work on is administrative costs.  While actual health care cost has risen at a relative steady pace, administrative costs have risen much more in recent years.  By implementing a plan of computerizing information, replacing costly paper records, Obama believes we can lower the cost of administration of health care.

The Barack Obama plan would cost approximately $50 to 65 billion per year.  The plan will be funded by ending the tax breaks the Bush administration has given to Americans earning more than $250,000 a year.