Small Biz Health Care Daily: McCain and Market Reforms

On August 26, CNN.com reported: “Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, said Tuesday that President Obama's efforts to reform health care have sparked ‘a peaceful revolt in America.’ … Though McCain firmly rejected the idea of a government-run insurance option, saying it would eventually drive private insurers out of business and lead to a full government takeover of health care, he echoed his 2008 campaign platform and said it would be irresponsible to simply ‘do nothing’ — especially with the threat of Medicare and Social Security going broke. ‘So let's go back with constructive, free-market incentives to improve the quality of health care and the affordability and availability,’ he said.”

Raymond J. Keating, chief economist for the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, points out:

“Senator McCain is absolutely correct. Free-market incentives are the correct answers to the current woes in our health care system – not more government spending and control. For example, smart reforms would include medical malpractice reform; allowing cross-border purchasing of health insurance so consumers can shop across the nation for affordable health coverage; allowing small businesses to join Small Business Health Plans that offer another choice and could make coverage less costly; and eliminate inequities in current tax law that penalizes small business owners regarding their health care premiums.”