For democrats, the word “universal” has become gospel when talking about healthcare fixes. But in stark contrast to his rivals, McCain says it’s a dirty word.
McCAIN: In the end, this will accomplish only one thing. We will replace the inefficiency, irrationality, and uncontrolled costs of the current system, with the inefficiency, irrationality and uncontrolled costs of a government monopoly.
McCain has been spending this week outlining his healthcare reform plan, which calls for creating a more competitive marketplace for private insurance. For those who don’t get or don’t want insurance from their employers, McCain’s plan would provide tax credits of $2500 for individuals, or twice that for families.
McCAIN: They would be able to go across state lines, shop online, or anywhere in America and purchase a health insurance policy that suits them and their needs best.
McCain received a warm welcome from the mostly-invited audience at the Cleveland Clinic, and happily took questions. The first person to take the microphone was clearly enamored.
PARTICIPANT: I don’t have a question; I have a statement: Godspeed in the elections.
After that, questions did get a bit more substantive. One audience member criticized McCain’s $5000 tax credit.
PARTICIPANT: $5000 of a tax credit is unreasonable. It should be the full amount of what’s paid for health care premiums.
McCain disagreed.
McCAIN: With all due respect sir, then there’d be no incentive to keep costs down.
Democrats contend McCain’s plan won’t effectively deal with the tens of millions of Americans who don’t have any insurance.
And, McCain’s plan is already being met with opposition here in Ohio. The Service Employees International Union is running this ad on television.
AD: John McCain says he’ll lower healthcare costs. But when it comes to lowering healthcare costs here in Ohio, we’ll still be feeling the pain.
After McCain’s speech, Baldwin Wallace student Matt Waldman also wasn’t sure about that $5000 tax credit, but for a different reason.
WALDMAN: The one guy was saying that’s not enough. I might think that’s too much. Just a little too much of the government getting involved. 5,000 is a lot of money. I’m really not sure, I’d have to research that more.
Fifty-two year old Howard Shrimpton from Parma is self-employed and has no health insurance. He says he has a pre-existing condition, and so far has been able to pay his medical bills. Shrimpton believes it’s not the taxpayers’ responsibility to foot the bill for healthcare, even if that means he doesn’t get coverage.
SHRIMPTON: I’ve done the self-pay route. If something’s offered to me, I take it.
Nevertheless, some experts believe McCain’s healthcare plan will likely lead to some tax increases, anyway, especially for higher-income workers.
The Cleveland Clinic says it’s invited both democratic presidential candidates to give similar healthcare forums. So far, they have yet to receive a commitment from either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton.