Complicated stuff, this healthcare debate. Let’s see if I can hash it out.
Sen. Richard Burr’s co-sponsored bill providing tax credits for individuals and familes to purchase health insurance “would ensure every American has access to affordable, quality health insurance through the free market.” The Progressive Pulse is predictably upset, saying the “real goal for these so-called ‘reformers’ is actually pretty simple – dismantle the employer system and have everyone buy coverage individually.” Meanwhile, JLF’s Joe Coletti says the bill “will provide tremendous benefit for the uninsured, those who purchase insurance on their own, and people who have to pay extremely high premiums to get family coverage through their employers.”
So while the debate, short of specifics, rages on among presidential candidates, advocates of each side are streadily working toward advancing their cause. In an interview on last night’s NewsHour discussing the SCHIP renewal, Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said the real discussion should be is “how we can have every American with access to insurance policies that they can afford.”
Leavitt’s interview reveals the fact that liberals haven’t been very honest about the issue, conveniently omitting that the extension would include familes making $80,000 per year and with children 25 years of age. That’s neither a definition of “poor” or “children,” so it’s clear the aim of those looking to expand SCHIP are looking to expand government healthcare.
So while the candidates bellow on, look carefully behind the scenes and decide for yourself who’s being more honest about their intentions.
Update: Guarino weighs in on SCHIPs.
