Paul Krugman's analysis of McCain's Health Plan was scary enough. That was October 5, 2008.
What a difference a day makes.
On October 6, 2008 the other shoe dropped.
More below the fold.
Paul Krugman's analysis of McCain's Health Plan was scary enough. His column describes in very real and reader-friendly terms the terrible economic and physical (health) impact the McCain - Palin Health care plan would have on people below the age of 65.
Krugman: Health Care Destruction
Conservative Republicans still hate Medicare, and would kill it if they could — in fact, they tried to gut it during the Clinton years (that’s what the 1995 shutdown of the government was all about). But so far they haven’t been able to pull that off.
So John McCain wants to destroy the health insurance of nonelderly Americans instead.
As a teacher of children with learning differences, I know that higher level thinking skills - such as identifying cause - effect can be difficult for individuals even with average intelligence (which McCain and Palin supposedly are).
Krugman lays out the devastating effects if McCain was able to implement is plan:
Individuals' income would suddenly increase with the cost of their employers' health care premiums added on as taxable.
This would result in a higher tax burden for many working and middle class Americans - a TAX INCREASE because the credits McCain are offering would not offset enough the tax increase and the rise in their own health care costs (see points below)
Employers would be forced to pay their share of FICA taxes on the premiums as well - increasing their costs.
Some employers would be forced to downgrade the quality of their plans to their employees to offset these increased costs - resulting in fewer benefits and great out of pocket costs of individuals and their families.
Other employers would be be unwilling or unable to handle their increased costs and not offer health insurance.
Upwards of 20 million individuals would be forced from group insurance through their employers to higher costing individual insurance markets - resulting in annual premium increases of potentially thousands of dollars.
A portion of these individuals would be unable to find insurance or affordable insurance because of pre=existing conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, etc.
The other shoe you ask?
The difference a day makes?
Remember that quote from Krugman above that:
Conservative Republicans still hate Medicare, and would kill it if they could — in fact, they tried to gut it during the Clinton years (that’s what the 1995 shutdown of the government was all about). But so far they haven’t been able to pull that off. (emphasis mine)
So John McCain wants to destroy the health insurance of nonelderly Americans instead.
On October 6, 2008, a day after Krugman's article,the McCain campaign comes out to explain how they intend to pay for the tax cuts he is advocating for his tax cuts...
by CUTTING MEDICARE! Trim Medicare he says, of waste and supposedly over a trillion dollars, according to the Wall Street Journal.
In the months since Sen. McCain introduced his health plan, statements made by his campaign have implied that the new tax credits he is proposing to help Americans buy health insurance would be paid for with other tax increases.
But Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Sen. McCain's senior policy adviser, said Sunday that the campaign has always planned to fund the tax credits, in part, with savings from Medicare and Medicaid. Those government health-care programs serve seniors, poor families and the disabled. Medicare spending for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30 is estimated at $457.5 billion.
Mr. Holtz-Eakin said the Medicare and Medicaid changes would improve the programs and eliminate fraud, but he didn't detail where the cuts would come from.
McCain Plans Federal Health Cuts by Laura Meckler WSJ
McCain - Palin are for equality opportunity - to screw up EVERYONE - not just workers but their parents as well.
Of course, I am cynical. Is McCain saying this so he can say he aththe debate that he is the only one willing to make tough decisions, being a Maverick you know (knowing full well that neither the American people of a Democratic Congress would go along with it?) And therefore, have his cake and eat it so to speak).
So, the cause-effect lesson for today?
Don't like McCain's vision of health care for you and your family? Don't like his lack of "Straight Talk" and the way he acts just for political effect? Then
Vote. Vote on November 4. Vote.
The effect?
Barack Obama / Joe Biden win with a landslide.