McCain's Health Plan: More Different Than I Thought

A couple of weeks ago, I posted the differences/similarities between Obama and McCain's plans for health care in America. The two approaches seemed very similar based on what I read on their respective web sites.

However, today, as a part of Good Morning America's series "Meet the Jones's" the reality of how McCain's plan would effect a typical American family whose daughter was diagnosed with ADHD became clear, and all at once - mucky.

According to McCain's chief health care strategist, Americans would be free to choose their own health care plans with the aid of a $5000 stipend, BUT would not be obligated or guaranteed health care. "John McCain wants you in charge." Getting the best health care at the best price will be up to the family or individual to research and negotiate what's good for them. In an ideal world, this approach seems to embrace the free market principles of our country.

But, who realistically has time to research and savvy to negotiate with insurance companies better, fairer priced health care?

We all know that health insurance companies are managed by suits with business degrees, who may be good people, but who focus on trend lines and the bottom line more often than "The Jones's" personal health care struggles. As the system operates currently, when you are offered health care through your employer, they negotiate the best rate - and although, STILL not a perfect system, it's definitely more organized with less opportunity for corruption.

Who do you think the health insurance companies would screw more - the top manager at a large firm who calls in on behalf of 50 employees for better rates, OR Mr. and Mrs. Jones who call in from their home phone to discuss their struggle to pay for their child's ADD medication? It's much easier to bilk money from an individual who hasn't been trained in negotiation or schooled in the various choices for health insurance.

Furthermore, even though McCain's laissez-fair health care plan would allow Americans to purchase their own benefits with this $5,000 stipend, this stipend would be taxed, and may not come close to covering the health care costs of the typical American household which reach upwards of $15,000 annually. And that's an average for the family with just basic check-ups. Would hate to imagine what the bill is for a family whose child has leukemia.

Lastly, I think the most disturbing aspect of the McCain plan is it's overall tone, as stated by McCain's health care policy wonk who spoke on GMA this morning. The motto is: It's the best we can do; it's better than what we have now; we just don't have the funds to cover a plan that would guarantee health care for all Americans; we need to be realistic.

Is that the attitude of a country who sent a man to the moon? And, is that the philosophy of a P.O.W. presidential candidate who prides himself - deservedly so - on his ability to fight for the best for the U.S.?

I'll leave you with this. McCain's team states that covering all Americans with health care comparable to what congressman receive would cost $350 billion dollars.

In 2007, the United States spent $965 billion on the military.