After watching the debate and after seeing the new Obama add, I decided to check out the claim that McCain's $5,000 voucher was better than tax-deductible, employer paid health care.
So I went to an online calculator at MSN and ran my numbers. It would cost me nearly $7,000 to buy health care from my current HMO for my family of 3, with substantial copays and deductible (and likely not including vision or other coverages.)
Basic coverage, no serious needs beyond basic care.
This swap costs me, a basic member of the middle class, $2,000. (That's real money to folks like me and the hockey mom.)
Now, I'm lucky enough to have an employer generous enough to provide good benefits. I actually use one of the cheaper options.
And I have no copays and no deductible, at least for regular checkups and care.
I would assume, though, that my employer like any employer would have to seriously look at adopting the mccain on-your-own health care strategy if the benefit wasn't deductible.
Just one example about how the middle class loses if we elect the maverick and the moose-drooler.