| 2004 Election: Universal Health Care and Your InsurancePage 3: Gephardt Supporters and CriticsGephardt supporters claim his plan will cost $692 billion from 2005-2007, which would be paid for by eliminating President George W. Bush's next scheduled tax cut to take effect early in 2005. Supporters also claim his plan will stimulate the economy and by maintaining employer-based health insurance coverage it will be more efficient than having the government completely run the health insurance industry.
Critics disagree citing that health care needs to be provided by the government nationally, instead through employer based providers, because with the current system "hundreds of billions of dollars a year go into insurance company overhead, unnecessary and fraudulent billing and administrative costs for health-care providers, and huge profits and high salaries at large HMOs and other health-care companies" according to an online article published by tarrantgreens.org. Others agree and feel employer sponsored health care insurance is why the health care industry is currently having so many problems. According to an article by Thomas W. Weisel, Chairman and CEO of Montgomery Securities, employers administering health care is the root of the current inefficiency. Weisel claims, "Many employees incorrectly view health care as a gift from employers because they are not aware that the money spent on insurance premiums is actually a component of their total compensation." Weisel feels the purchasing power needs to be given back to the consumers and not employers.
Gephardt's plan looks as though it keeps the insurance industry happy by not affecting the current structure and the consumer happy because more people will be offered health insurance. But, is the cost going to be to much for tax payers to handle if businesses continue to administer health care? Should the government take over? Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich has tried to answer these questions by his proposal for an entire sweep of the current system, eliminating the need for insurance companies. Find out more about Kucinich's plan here.
The Complete 2004 Heath Care Series:
2004 Election: Universal Health Care and Your Insurance
Gephardt's Plan
Kucinich's Plan
Dean's Plan
Kerry's Plan
Lieberman's Plan
Edwards' Plan
Larouche's Plan
Clark's Plan
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