Most Important Provisions of the Obama's Health Care Program

Introduction

Health care has been one of the issues that were hotly debated during the recent campaigns for the 2008 Presidential Election. Apparently Senator John McCain and President Barrack Obama hold different views on how to manage the country's health care system. While both of them believe that there should be a wider health care coverage for all? Senator McCain wanted to “tax employer-sponsored health insurance as income? removing the tax exemptions granted to Americans covered through their workplaces.” (Gallagher, pp. 33-38).

Government "Public Option" Plan

Obama, aspiring to get healthcare costs under command and double-check that the 46 million Americans who are uninsured can get health treatment, likes a new public program to contend with personal insurers. (Deborah, pp. 140)

"The foremost feels that having a 'public option' edge by brim, equal playing locality, equal directions, will give Americans alternative and will aid smaller allegations for everybody. And that's a good thing," (Sebelius, CNN.com)

"The foremost does not yearn to dismantle in person pertains to designs. He doesn't desire the 180 million persons who have boss treatment to misplace that coverage. He likes to strengthen the marketplace," (Sebelius, CNN.com).

Obama addressed the American Medical Association, which comprises the nation's medical practitioners and has voiced skepticism about a very broad new public plan but enthusiasm to address other suggestions encompassing the cooperatives. Sebelius did not adopt the suggestion but furthermore did not brush aside it, saying, "There is no one-size-fits-all idea."

(Biden, NBC.com) furthermore indicated Obama's flexibility on the environment of a new public plan. Most Americans with health protection get it through an employer. During last year's presidential election, Obama derided the concept of levying employer-provided health benefits.

This is not to state although that America does not spend for health care. In fact? the US was advised to have the most costly health care system in the world? with 13.6 per hundred of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expended on health in 1998 (Bureau of Labor Education? pp. 18-24). This ratio has expanded considerably after nearly 10 years? as asserted by the Office of the Actuary in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services? as health care expending was approximated to be at 16.3 per hundred of GDP in 2007. By 2017? this is anticipated to increase to $4.3 trillion or 19.5 per hundred of GDP (Giles, pp. 40-48).

Increasing the yearly earnings threshold for a new surtax to partially investment health care restructure to $1 million for twosomes and $500,000 for individuals. The preceding threshold was $280,000 for individuals and $350,000 for couples. Increasing the threshold obligation for small businesses to supply health care treatment for employees. The new qualifying threshold exempts all businesses with payrolls under $500,000 annually.

Drug prices for Medicare recipients would be discussed by the Health & Human Services Secretary, a provision hotly challenged by the pharmaceutical industry. Previously, the Bush management set non-negotiable pharmaceutical prices for Medicare, prices most professionals derided as very high.

Under the modified House health care account, 36 million ...