Health Insurance For All?!?

Both democratic presidential candidates propose universal health coverage; however, they differ on ways to achieve it. This was made clear yesterday at the debate held here in Austin, Texas. The issue of health care is a topic that will be one of the deciding factors when you head over to the polls. The New York Times published an excellent article about this issue called, "2 Plans & Many Questions on the Uninsured".

Both presidential candidates agree that in order for universal health care to be successful, we must first make policies affordable for everyone. They believe that this can be achieved by putting at least $110 billion into subsidies and tax credits. Funds for this would be raised by rolling back President Bush’s tax cuts for high earners and by taxing businesses that do not insure their employees.

Here’s where they differ, Sen. Obama believes that he can insure all Americans by just enticing them with the low cost of premiums. Sen. Clinton believes that mandates are necessary for free riders who will not follow suit and enroll in programs as they should. Sen. Obama argues that the mandates could cause financial turmoil for middle-class families, while Sen. Clinton is adamant that Sen. Obama’s plan will leave 15 million Americans uninsured.

The article I read from Statesman.com reports that there are 47 million uninsured in the United States. The uninsured are called free riders. Many are presumed to be young and at little risk of major illness. I was surprised to learn how the cost of uncompensated care received by free riders is passed on to taxpayers. The privately insured also get hit with increases to premiums in an effort by hospitals and physicians to recoup their losses.

At this time the Massachusetts is the only state that mandates coverage. They find insurance to be affordable for anyone with a family income over three times the federal poverty level. For persons who show that the premiums would pose a financial hardship, they do offer exemptions from the mandate. They expect to offer 60,000 of these waivers this year. Like Sen. Clinton’s proposed mandate, Massachusetts did impose a penalty on the uninsured failing to enroll in a plan by the end of 2007. Only half of those people enrolled. According to the article, this penalty increased from $219 to $912 this year.

In closing, health insurance is definitely a sensitive subject. I am a mother of 2 young and at times very sick children. Co-pays and prescriptions are no laughing matter when you have no insurance and I have been there. Although I have private insurance now, I am happy to see this issue on the table. Uninsured persons cause a domino effect and I personally have seen increases in my premiums over the past 3 years. This issue will be on my mind as I stand in line to vote this year.

Show Me The Money... But Will It Help The Economy?

I read an article in LA Times called, "Congress OK's $168-Billion Stimulus Package". It reports that Congress has approved a two year, $168 billion stimulus package. I have been personally following this story because of the effect it will have on my household. This article is worth reading because you’ll be able to see if you too may be expecting a rebate check but, also to see how Congress deals with the economy. The stimulus package will send millions of rebate checks to low- and middle-income Americans. And the best part is the checks should arrive in taxpayers mailboxes beginning in May.

The stimulus package came about as Congress was faced with evidence of an impending recession. Democrats fought for a larger more expansive package but, ultimately ended up with this bipartisan compromise. Under the terms of the package, single filers will get a maximum $600 rebate while married couples will get a maximum $1200 rebate. In addition, parents will get $300 for each child.

Along with rebate checks the stimulus package includes other benefits. It allows for tax breaks for businesses designed to help them invest in new equipment. And it also includes a one-year increase in the size of mortgages that can be backed by the government.

Now will this package help "stimulate" the economy that remains to be seen, however, I do know for a fact my portion will serve its purpose.