First Focus, a bipartisan children’s advocacy group, has
released a statement warning voters that John McCain’s health care plan would result
in millions of American children going without health insurance.
McCain’s proposal centers around a flat tax credit, which would be given to every family, regardless of size or income, to be used to buy
health insurance. (The money for these credits would be raised, at least in
part, by cutting Medicaid and Medicare.)
First Focus has warned that the tax credit
is well below the amount of money required for the average family’s health care
needs. Plus, since McCain wouldn't require insurance companies to cover children with pre-existing conditions, it's likely that many of these kids would be denied coverage.
Obama’s plan guarantees that every child will be covered,
either privately or publicly, regardless of preexisting conditions.
For a comprehensive primer on Obama and McCain’s health care
proposals, check out Kim Mance’s essay.
Photo: New York Times
