Candidates Square Off on Health Care Proposals
Both of the 2008 presidential election candidates, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), have made bold statements about the need for change - especially when it comes to health care reform. But both candidates have also misrepresented their opponent’s position on health care by either outright lying, or through deceptive statements, and omissions.- Comparison Between McCain's and Obama's Proposed Health Care Plans
- Barack Obama's Health Care Plan and How it Affects Employers
Here are statements made by John McCain about Obama's health care plan - and the truth; and what Barack Obama has said about McCain's health care plan - and the truth.
What Obama Has Said About John McCain’s Health Care Plan
Lie By Omission
In his August 28, 2008 Democratic nomination acceptance speech Obama stated: “How else could he offer a health care plan that would actually tax people’s benefits...”The Truth
If omission is lying, then Obama lied, through omission. He correctly stated a portion of McCain’s health care proposal, but his statement is misleading. It is true that McCain proposes to tax benefits, however, Obama did not state that McCain also proposes a tax credit of up to $5,000 to use for health care benefits. It should be noted (although even Obama did not make clear in his speech), that McCain also proposes to tax the value of employer-sponsored benefits.
What McCain Has Said About Obama’s Health Care Plan
The Lies
McCain has said, “His [Barack Obama’s] plan will force small businesses to cut jobs, reduce wages, and force families into a government run health care system where a bureaucrat stands between you and your doctor.”The Truth About McCain's Health Care Plan
This is a complete misstatement of Obama’s plan which exempts small businesses from having to provide health insurance (or pay a percentage of payroll to the national plan), and offers them a health tax credit which would reimburse up to 50% of employers costs of premiums for health insurance for their employers.
It is also inaccurate that the government would decide, under Obama’s plan, who your doctor is, what your insurance plan options are, of the type of medical care you could receive. This is, and would remain, something of personal choice based on the whims of the specific insurance company.
