This Will Only Hurt A Little...

There are three top issues in the upcoming General Election, the order varies depending on which poll you read, but the same three are always there: The Economy; The War; The Cost & Availability of Healthcare.

Two members of my family recently became ill. Why crises like these happen at the same time is one of the unexplainable laws of nature. But according to those laws they often come in three's. I'm hoping that's not true this time.

As I wrote in this Sunday's column, my family's immersion into the American healthcare system has been a revelation. One of our relatives has insurance, the other does not. In fairness to the two hospitals involved, who I will not name, both patients were treated very much the same. The one without insurance was near death when brought in. The doctors saved her life and she has now returned home. The bills are starting to arrive and to date they total almost $200,000. She will probably have to declare bankruptcy.

The relative with insurance was also critically ill and is still hospitalized. Almost all of her expenses will be covered. When she is well, she will resume her life and remain financially sound.

There are countless stories for anyone who cares to look about families torn apart by illness and accident. Many of them, especially in this tightening economy, are one car accident, one serious diagnosis away from ruin.

So what is the answer? It looks like some version of universal healthcare is coming. Each candidate has a plan, and those plans do have differences. Here are the links:

Hillary Clinton's plan is to cover every single American. You would have several plans to choose from, could not be turned down for a pre-existing condition, and your coverage would be portable.

Barack Obama's plan also will cover all Americans. It establishes a Health Care Exchange for those who can afford private pay, and it requires employers who do not offer insurance to pay into the national plan.

John McCain's plan offers direct refundable tax credits of $2500 to individuals and $5000 to families for the purchase of insurance of their choice. All insurance would be become portable from job to job and state to state.

Before you cast a vote for one of these Presidential candidates, you owe it to yourself and the country to become an informed consumer. No less than your family's wellbeing may hang in the balance.