Healthcare Policy Redux: A Tax Policy Analysis of the 2008 Presidential Candidates’ Proposals
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Date
2008
Authors
Hobbs, Richard G.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
During the 2008 Presidential Campaign, the candidates have debated proposals for solving America’s
health care challenges. But the real health care debate will happen after America elects a new President and
Congress. During this upcoming debate, Congress should not simply follow the new President, but should lead by
thoroughly considering the various proposals and select the very best ideas for improving our ailing health care
system. As an aid to the debate, this article collates the proposals of not only the three remaining candidates, but
also those who have dropped out, then analyzes them from a tax policy perspective.
The article first describes, via the statements of the candidates, the serious challenges facing America’s
health care system. Next, the article describes the three categories candidate ideas fall into: Healthcare for All,
Universal Healthcare, and Deregulated, Independent Healthcare. Then the article analyzes each category using
classical tax policy criteria. Finally, the article discusses the efficacy of each category and concludes with which
one appears best from a tax policy perspective.
Description
40 pages
Keywords
Healthcare policy, Presidential candidates, Tax policy, Health insurance