McCain's Healthcare Plan Brings Real Reform...

by Brian L. Baker
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With all due respect to recent letters from those opposing John McCain, the idea that a veteran, prisoner of war, and American hero would hurt veterans is a myth that originates from partisan mindsets…not facts. Senator McCain’s policy stand on healthcare will help move us toward true change. Please look at the specifics.

An important part of his plan is to use competition to improve the quality of health insurance with greater variety to match people's needs, lower prices, and portability. Families should be able to purchase health insurance nationwide, across state lines.

News reports indicate that McCain aims to reform the tax code to offer more choices beyond employer-based health insurance coverage. While still having the option of employer-based coverage, every family will receive a direct refundable tax credit - effectively cash - of $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families to offset the cost of insurance. Families will be able to choose the insurance provider that suits them best and the money would be sent directly to the insurance provider. Those obtaining innovative insurance that costs less than the credit can deposit the remainder in expanded Health Savings Accounts.

Senator McCain also proposes making your health insurance portable. Americans need insurance that follows them from job to job. They want insurance that is still there if they retire early and does not change if they take a few years off to raise the kids.

Senator McCain understands that those without prior group coverage and those with pre-existing conditions have the most difficulty on the individual market, and we need to make sure they get the high-quality coverage they need. He will challenge the insurance companies and fight to insure that people with pre-existing conditions can find coverage.

As President, John McCain will work with governors to develop a best practice model that states can follow - a Guaranteed Access Plan or GAP - that would reflect the best experience of the states to ensure these patients have access to health coverage.

Chronic conditions account for three-quarters of the nation's annual health care bill. McCain’s plan includes prevention, early intervention, healthy habits, new treatment models, new public health infrastructure and the use of information technology to address chronic conditions. Senator McCain’s plan dedicates more federal research to caring and curing chronic disease.

Senator McCain supports letting the states have freedom to address their needs. Missouri should have the flexibility to experiment with alternative forms of access, coordinated payments per episode covered under Medicaid, use of private insurance in Medicaid, alternative insurance policies and different licensing schemes for providers.

We must make public more information on treatment options and doctor records, and require transparency regarding medical outcomes, quality of care, costs and prices. We must also facilitate the development standards for measuring and recording treatments and outcomes. We must promote greater access through walk-in clinics in retail outlets.

Obama supporters and advisers admit that his plan clearly creates a government-run healthcare system. They believe that more government is the way to solve the issue. Some even admit that socialism is needed to address our healthcare issues. I would ask you to remember, President Thomas Jefferson said, “A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take it away!”

I respectfully ask that you consider John McCain for President