Presidential candidates present health care proposals

TALLAHASSEE -- Floridians know -- maybe better than most -- the problems in America's health-care system.

One of every five Florida residents lacks health insurance, a rate that trails only Texas and New Mexico.

Small-business owners face continually rising costs as they try to provide coverage for employees. And those people who have coverage might face higher out-of-pocket expenses when they go to the doctor.

Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama take far different approaches to solving health-care problems.

Here is information about their positions:

McCAIN

Trying to hold down costs and give more choices to consumers, McCain wants to take a market approach to inject more competition into the health-care system.

A key part of McCain's proposal would offer tax credits of $2,500 to individuals and $5,000 to families to help cover the cost of health insurance.

In exchange, he would eliminate income-tax breaks that workers receive when they are covered under employer-sponsored insurance plans.

The Republican candidate hopes the tax credits would lead to more people shopping for policies that would meet their needs, driving down costs.

McCain also wants to boost competition by allowing people to buy insurance from companies in other states. His proposals also include limiting malpractice lawsuits that doctors blame for increasing costs and reducing access to care.

Quote: "The key to real reform is to restore control over our health-care system to the patients themselves." (April 29 speech in Tampa)

OBAMA

Saying every American has the "right" to health coverage, Obama wants to spend tens of billions of dollars a year on a plan that includes focusing on uninsured workers, small businesses and children.

Obama has proposed creating a national insurance program that would be open to people who don't have access to coverage through their jobs or government programs. Also, it would be open to self-employed people and small businesses.

Businesses that don't provide "meaningful" coverage to their employees would be required to help pay for the program -- though small businesses would be exempt.

The Democratic candidate's plan also includes requiring that all children have health coverage.

To pay for his health plan, Obama would roll back tax cuts for people who earn more than $250,000 a year.

Quote: "Now is the time to finally keep the promise of affordable, accessible health care for every single American." (Aug. 28 speech in Denver)

jim.saunders@news-jrnl.com

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