Healthcare: A Leading Issue for Election 2008
Not surprisingly, voters have identified healthcare as one of the leading domestic issues for the upcoming presidential election, and the candidates have made every effort to differentiate themselves in terms of how they will address the issue. At the heart of the debate is the critical sub-issue of financial access to healthcare and the guarantee that every American has the insurance they need at an affordable price. But the success of each candidate may hinge on the viability of their individual healthcare platforms.
On the Republican side, John McCain’s platform is focused mainly on increased competition and tax incentives for individual purchasers. As part of his reform package, McCain is calling for changes to the tax code to eliminate what he calls “the bias toward employer-sponsored health insurance.” He aims to provide tax credits of $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families in an effort to increase incentives for insurance coverage. Individuals owning innovative multi-year policies that cost less than the full credit would be able to deposit the remainder in expanded health savings accounts.
On the Democratic side, both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama offer proposals aimed at achieving universal coverage, generally by strengthening employer-based coverage and providing access to government-sponsored plans. Obama and Clinton have made it clear throughout their campaigns that they consider it a moral obligation to provide healthcare coverage to every American, and both would fund their plans in part by rolling back top-end income tax breaks passed during President Bush’s time in office.
While the proposals of both Democratic candidates seek to make insurance affordable to lower-income Americans, the key difference between the two is that the Clinton plan requires all individuals have insurance, while the Obama plan does not. Obama believes that more people will purchase insurance as long as it is offered at an affordable price, but many experts believe the Clinton mandate (modeled after recent Massachusetts initiatives requiring citizens to have health insurance) could be more effective in terms of providing actual universal healthcare.
Regardless of how the elections actually turn out in November, voters agree there will be a significant amount of work involved in turning any proposed healthcare reform package into a viable plan that Congress will agree upon. But as long as medical costs continue to rise, healthcare will be at the forefront of the American political agenda.
For more detailed information on the 2008 presidential candidates healthcare platforms, check out www.health08.org or www.webmd.com. If you would like to learn more about the issue of healthcare in the 2008 political arena, Dr. Jonathan Oberlander, Associate Professor of Social Medicine and Health Policy & Administration at UNC-Chapel Hill, will be addressing this very topic at Hill, Chesson & Woody’s Spring 2008 Lunch & Learn on May 21 at the RTP Hilton. Further details will be available at www.hcwbenefits.com. We hope to see you there!
* * * * *
Don't forget to visit the HCW Wellness Corner at www.hcwbenefits.com!
By visiting the HCW Wellness Corner, employers can order various resources to help them initiate, strengthen and/or enhance their wellness initiatives. Best of all, these resources can be sent directly to the employer completely FREE OF CHARGE!
So visit the HCW Wellness Corner today at www.hcwbenefits.com, and let us help you get your company on the road to wellness!
Please Note: If you no longer wish to receive communications of this nature from Hill, Chesson & Woody, please reply to the sender of the email with the word "unsubscribe" in the header. Thank you.
Important Notice: Hill, Chesson & Woody does not engage in the practice of law, accounting, or medicine. Therefore, the contents of this communication should not be regarded as a substitute for legal, tax, or medical advice.
March 28, 2008
Hill, Chesson & Woody strives to keep our clients' group decision makers abreast of trends influencing the employee benefits market. Look for Eyes on Benefits to bring you news and information affecting you and your employees.
194 Finley Golf Course Road, Suite 200,
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Phone: 919.403.1986
Fax: 919.913.0237
www.hcwbenefits.com