Kerry Fans: Where does he stand on heath care?

[LincolnMcGrath]

He is on TV now.(SC) I've looked at his site.(JK.com) I still have questions. He said on TV just now a tax credit to help people keep COBRA between jobs. Tax credit for me or the company? In 2000 when I fled the steel mill as it entered into bankruptcy, COBRA for my family of four was $975.00 per month. How would a tax credit have helped my family?

Will I be allowed to purchase the plan that Senators have? Or will companies get a tax break for GIVING it to me. I don't like the idea of having to start paying anything for health care at this point in my life. Are these are tax credits to companies or workers.

Please post links, ideas, thoughts. Send your FLAMES to anyone in the the upper Midwest, we could use them to stay warm.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

1. Here. Home in on this:

From the web site:

Make Health Care More Affordable

For Small Businesses
Health care costs are rising about 15 percent this year for small businesses and often as high as 25 percent. Small businesses are much less likely to offer health care coverage because it tends to be more expensive for them. Small businesses have administrative costs and they often see premiums rise when one employee has high health care costs. By joining the new Congressional Health Plan under Kerry’s plan small businesses will be able to provide more affordable coverage. Kerry is also proposing refundable tax credits up to 50 percent of coverage to small businesses and their employees to help subsidize the cost of health insurance.

For Workers In Between Jobs

There are approximately 8 million unemployed people in the United States today. John Kerry believes that when you lose your job you shouldn't lose your health care. That is why he is proposing a 75 percent tax credit to assure workers can keep their health insurance between jobs.

For Retirees and Americans Age 55 to 64

Retirees and Americans age 55 to 64 have the hardest time buying coverage. Gaps in our patchwork system of health care are most noticeable for those Americans that risk losing their health care before they turn 65 and are eligible for Medicare. This less healthy population is often priced out of affordable coverage. Kerry’s plan will allow these Americans to buy into the Congressional health plan at an affordable price and give a tax credit to make it even more affordable.

[LincolnMcGrath]

4. Tax credit for who?

"That is why he is proposing a 75 percent tax credit to assure workers can keep their health insurance between jobs."

[NewYorkerfromMass]

5. the unemployed

[LincolnMcGrath]

8. If true that is worthless.

The cost of COBRA was 3/4 of my unemployment ins, and we have it $ better $ than many states.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

13. You have to look at Kerry's plan as a whole.

Bringing down costs will mean the CORBA will be less, therefore the tax credit will go farther.

Bear in mind, this is not a plan written on a cocktail napkin -- the numbers have to add up. Of course you would prefer a bigger credit -- but Kerry is only promising what he believes he can deliver.

[LincolnMcGrath]

16. It would appear it has little for the unemployed.

Our children will change jobs quite often in the new global economy, this plan does little to help them. it sounds like the school voucher program.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

19. What you are saying is not consistent with reality.

You might want to try reading the plan again.

[LincolnMcGrath]

22. Not sure what reality you roam in.

Try to be civil and represent your candidate in an adult fashion, sans the flames and name calling.

TAX credits do not help in the here and now. Yes, they help at tax time.

[sandnsea]

24. Let's try this

Your COBRA was $975 a month. Right off the bat it's reduced because you can take your kids off because they'll be eligible for the program for low-income kids which anybody on unemployment is low income. So we've got it down to $800 a month. The cost cutting plans will reduce it by 25% so we're down to $600. Then you kick in the tax credits, up to 70%, and we're down to $180 a month. And if you don't like any of that, you can buy into the federal health plan which will be pro-rated and cost, at the most, 6.5% per month. So if your unemployment was $1600 a month, you're paying around $100, if anything at all because it would probably fall into the low income category. What more do you want???

[LincolnMcGrath]

25. You can't pay bills with a tax credit

I can't buy a big mac with a tax credit.

[sandnsea]

26. Refundable tax credits

If you get the tax credits like you get EIC. Then you're only paying the minimal amount each month. Besides, this is mostly for single people without kids anyway. Low income families would be covered separately, kids totally under federal SCHIP and parents under state programs. Just like most families on unemployment are covered now. And if you don't want it, don't take it.

[LincolnMcGrath]

27. "tax credits like you get EIC"

I am not following you. Will I have a 'coupon' for lower cost cobra, Or will I get the money returned after April 15?


"Low income families would be covered separately"
All sorts of people are facing job-loss. Will I be low income the day after i get laid off?



"Just like most families on unemployment are covered now"
Getting a med card (IL) is helpful, but hardly a quality health care package.

[LincolnMcGrath]

28. kick

:hi:

[LincolnMcGrath]

29. Anyone?

:hi:

[sandnsea]

31. Vote for Bush

I really don't think you don't understand.

[LincolnMcGrath]

34. Quality response!

I don't see this clearly. Why not just call me a freeper?

Answer the questions if you can, Or attack someone else.


As a veteran and lifelong union member I am very insulted by your tirades.

[sandnsea]

37. See #37

I'm insulted by your desire to intentionally act as if this is all just too complicated to understand.

[flaminbats]

17. Under Kerry's plan the premiums you pay for COBRA would be lower..

also, you could buy into the FEHBP at a community rate..meaning they could not charge higher premiums or deny coverage due to a pre-existing condition. Once more people buy into such a plan, the rates would go down for everyone. Also insurers would receive subsidies for covering those with medical problems, which would encourage them and employers to both participate in this new system.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

2. First off, you don't have the link right - it's http://www.johnkerry.com/

"Will I be allowed to purchase the plan that Senators have? Or will companies get a tax break for GIVING it to me. I don't like the idea of having to start paying anything for health care at this point in my life. "

Kerry is not proposing a single-payer system, where the government picks up the tab. As far as I know, only Kucinich and Sharpton are proposing that at this time. So if your criteria in choosing a candidate is a health care proposal that means you won't have to pay anything for health care -- you should choose between those two. Kerry's plan is indeed to give tax incentives to employers and tax credits to individuals and self-employed.



To learn about Kerry's health care proposals: http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/healthcare

To download Kerry's detailed health care plan: http://www.johnkerry.com/pdf/kerry_health_plan.pdf

[LincolnMcGrath]

6. Nowhere did I mention single payer

The right incentives to companies will ensure I keep full coverage.

[sandnsea]

9. The right incentives

Exactly. Coupled with other programs to get the uninsured into the pool to further reduce costs to everybody.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

11. Yes, the most innovative part of Kerry's plan is the

approach to controlling costs -- that will help everyone in the long run.

Sometimes the indirect method, the long range plan, is a tougher sell politically -- but that doesn't mean it's not the right approach.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

10. I didn't say you did.

What you said was that " I don't like the idea of having to start paying anything for health care at this point in my life. "

The only system in which you won't pay anything for health care is a single payer system.



I'll be honest with you -- I don't like the idea of paying for health care either. Of course, I don't like the idea of paying for car repairs, I don't like paying for homeowner's insurance, and so on, and so on....

[LincolnMcGrath]

15. Wrong Union workers

have enjoyed free health care for decades.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

20. Simply a mischaracterization.

I really should have known better than to post in this thread, but, at least the links are in here now if someone happens by who really does want to learn about Kerry's health care proposals.

http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/healthcare/
http://www.johnkerry.com/pdf/kerry_health_plan.pdf
http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/100days/medicare.html

[LincolnMcGrath]

23. I really want to know.

[sandnsea]

3. He wants us all to die n/t

[sandnsea]

7. Okay, I'll be nice

I just can't understand how people can't know these things after all this time. Sorry.

A tax credit, especially one that worked like EITC and was distributed with your UI check, would help. More importantly, other cost cutting plans would reduce that premium by 25% before it ever even got to you. Your employer would just have to agree to a wellness program and to pass the savings on to employees for the govt to pick up catastrophic cases. Finally, you could buy into the federal plan at a reduced rate if you had no other options. And if you're working, nothing has to change at all if you and your company don't want it to. That's why his plan is better, it offers coverage to everybody, but doesn't force any business to change anything if they don't want to.

Nobody is offering free health insurance. Nobody.

[LincolnMcGrath]

14. Why wouldn't you be nice?

A tax credit distributed with my UI check? wtf Shaving 25% off a grand a month ain't doing much for Joe sixpack.

I truly am sorry for not the ins ands outs of YOUR candidates health care plan "after all this time. Sorry"

Once again, I never mentioned single payer or free health.

[sandnsea]

18. Take nothing, your choice

Nobody else is offering anything better. I guess he really does want us all to die.

[polpilot]

12. 30 years in Washington and Zip! Zero..Nothing!!

Dean '04...

[Feanorcurufinwe]

21. A false statement.

[JohnKleeb]

30. Actually 20

Tell me, do you have a problem with having the same health care as your congressman :shrug:

[LincolnMcGrath]

32. Can Joe Sixpack afford it?

Not everyone pulls in Congress money.


"I am living on this salary. I’m not living in the manner I was before I entered Congress, but I am living on it."
--{Quoted in Brazosport (TX) Facts 8-2-88.}

<In 1990, Congressman Tom voted to raise his salary from $96,000 to $125,000.>

[JohnKleeb]

33. He wants the everyday citizen to have the same health care he does

If you want, you can go to his site, and watch this ad where he talks about his cancer and his recovery and how that health care helped. You should ask a more seasoned Kerry supporter about this.

[LincolnMcGrath]

35. I've been asking.

I've read his site.

I`m sure the Senate has a wonderful plan. Can I afford the premiums though?
Can my company save money by moving all of us into the Senate plan?

[sandnsea]

36. That's not the plan

Which I already explained to you. As a veteran and a union member, I don't think you're that dumb. Not sure what thrill people get out of playing these circular games, but hope you had a good time anyway.

[polpilot]

41. He's been there for 20+ years and now he has a 'plan'. Yippeeee!!!!

Dean '04...

[LincolnMcGrath]

42. Dude

:spank:

[LincolnMcGrath]

43. For Workers In Between Jobs

"There are approximately 8 million unemployed people in the United States today. John Kerry believes that when you lose your job you shouldn't lose your health care. That is why he is proposing a 75 percent tax credit to assure workers can keep their health insurance between jobs."

[polpilot]

40. He has a 'plan'. He's been working on it for 20 years. I bet it's good.

Dean '04....

[polpilot]

39. Oh yeah. I forgot. He has a 'plan.' Silly me.

Dean '04..

[polpilot]

38. Did Kerry represent to you that you did. You don't. He does. Had it 4 20.

Dean '04...