Clinton Health Plan To Limit Premium Costs

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) is calling for a universal health care plan wherein individuals would pay no more than 10 percent of their income for insurance.

While not disclosing specific figures, Sen. Clinton mentioned implementing a restriction on premium costs to aid in helping obtain coverage for the nation’s 47 million uninsured.

Individuals purchasing family policies paid an average 10-16 percent of their income in 2006 and 2007. Workers who buy family policies through their employers paid about six percent of their income on average.

Sen. Clinton, as well as Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), has received mounting pressure to provide more details about the proposal introduced last year. The plan would keep the private insurance system in place and require all individuals to obtain insurance. Tax credits would be available to help make low-income workers purchase coverage and to small businesses that offer coverage to employees.

In addition to increasing accessibility, Clinton’s proposal would allow individual to keep their current plan, choose from the same plan of options as members of Congress, or sign-up for a plan similar to Medicare. Many individuals could expect their health costs to decrease as a result of increased modernization through the implementation of health IT, as well as pushing the importance of preventative care.

Senator Clinton hinted that she would support an increase in taxes on tobacco products should additional funds be needed to subsidize the plan.

Visit the NASE’s Election Watch Web site to read about the proposed health plan. While you’re there, read up on other presidential candidates, register to vote and learn more about current micro-business legislation.