A Crucial Decision

Thanks for your comment, however it should be noted that Obama is not proposing a universal healthcare plan. They are, however, attempting to make affordable healthcare options available to those who, for whatever reason, are currently uninsured.

The following is taken directly from Obama's plans, as posted on his website:

"Barack Obama and Joe Biden’s plan strengthens employer–based coverage, makes insurance companies accountable and ensures patient choice of doctor and care without government interference.  Under the plan, if you like your current health insurance, nothing changes, except your costs will go down by as much as $2,500
per year.  If you don’t have health insurance, you will have a choice of new, affordable health insurance options."

I have a hard time seeing how this qualifies as universal healthcare.

The way I read the plans, both McCain and Obama's plans do nothing to stop you from going to the doctor of your choice. As for letting the doctor and the patient choose the proper course of treatment, that would be a welcome change because right now, today, the insurance company is the one that makes that decision simply by telling the doctor what treatments it will cover. I've seen doctors challenge the insurance companies and win, but it's a rare thing to witness. If McCain thinks his plan will change that, great. I'm still trying to figure that one out. In addition, I don't see anywhere in Obama's plan where it forces doctors to provide one common treatment for all conditions. If it did something like that, well, then we wouldn't need doctors, would we?

Thanks again for your comment. I hope others share their opinions too.

Jake

Dear Anon,

I must reply to your statements.

"I can speak from experience having been caught in the system after losing my private insurance."

You don't mention if that was employer-sponsored group insurance or private individual insurance.  Knowing which you had previously would help me better understand your stance.

"Hands down, McCain's plan is better."  

Well, I disagree.  As a self-employed person with private individual insurance and a couple of chronic illnesses, I believe that McCain's approach would take away protections for patients such as myself by deregulating mandates while not establishing federal mandates which would apply to ALL TYPES of insurance coverage.

"It is a no-brainer because it allows you to go anywhere to the doctor of YOUR choice. The universal healthcare proposed by Obama will not only NOT work, it will be a nightmare for those with any chronic or serious disease."  

There is nothing in Obama's plan which directs or limits your choice of doctors.  The major threat to choice of doctors come from not having enough new talent entering the field of medicine.

"I can promise you, you do not want to lose CONTROL of your own health (unless you are willing to fight like me which is very hard and no fun)."  

In my opinion, I would gain more control of my health under Obama's plan as opposed to McCain's plan.  Like you, I have fought hard.  But because my insurance policy doesn't need to meet the standards of the state in which I live (due to being in a tri-state area in Washington DC), I am left with no options for recourse.  People SHOULD NOT WANT the insurance coverage I have. and I'm afraid that more and more will have it under McCain's strategy.

"Obama's plan will encourage one treatment for all (which you know from experience is not appropriate) and let's face it, some doctors are better than others."

 I agree that some doctors are better than others for various reasons.  If you are concerned about the establishment and implementation of evidenced-based medical standards, then both candidates support this practice.

"McCain's plan allows the patient to always have options and to be the ultimate decision maker which is the way it should be."  

Everybody will ALWAYS have options - But at what cost?