USA TODAY posted on their website Dr. Don McCanne’s response to their editorial that called for Democrats to take a look at the Bush proposal.
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/01/post_40.html#comments
Everyone agrees that the regressive tax policies and job-lock of employer-sponsored coverage should be replaced. The divide is over what would be a better system. President Bush advances his ownership society ideology by using tax policy to encourage individual purchase of affordable (stripped down) health plans. That targets precisely those with significant health care needs and makes them owners of their medical debt – the opposite of the reform we need. The opposing view is that the employer-sponsored system should be replaced with equitably-funded, comprehensive insurance that covers everyone. Until we establish such a system, we cannot afford to walk away from the crucial funding that employers provide to our already very fragile system. Instead of new ideas, Bush has cluttered the negotiating table with mean-spirited policy proposals. They should be rejected.
Posted by: Don McCanne, M.D. | Jan 30, 2007 12:00:34 PM