Committee chairman touts Obama plan

By Sarah Arkin

Published: September 29, 2008

Dozens of people came out to the Community Market on Monday afternoon to talk about health care policies with former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe.

Formerly head of New York Sen. Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, McAuliffe was in Danville on behalf of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

He focused most of his discussion on Obama’s plan, and noted stark contrasts to that of Republican contender John McCain.

“Health care is a serious concern all over the commonwealth,” McAuliffe said. “Under John McCain’s plan, many people will lose their insurance, especially employer-based health care. It’s critical for the country to elect Barack Obama.”

Under Obama’s plan, McAuliffe said, one million more Virginians would have health care.

Everyone would be offered a benefit plan similar to the one members of Congress receive, he said, noting that means they would have more coverage options.

Doctors would be encouraged to focus on disease prevention, McAuliffe said, rather than sending patients to get medical procedures that might benefit the hospital in terms of revenue, but not the patient.

He spoke specifically about how Obama’s plan would affect seniors.

People over 65 years old who make less than $50,000 will not pay federal income taxes under Obama’s plan, according to McAuliffe.

Obama also plans to allow the United States to negotiate drug prices to bring lower, quality prescription drugs to the U.S., McAuliffe said, adding current federal law bans such negotiations.

He said McCain and Obama’s plans couldn’t be more different.

McCain would deregulate the health insurance system and provide tax credits for families to purchase their own insurance, McAuliffe said. He said individuals would get $2,500 and families would get $5,000, but most families’ health insurance policies cost $12,000.

McCain’s plan also would create a tax on employer-provided health care benefits, McAuliffe said.

McAuliffe noted McCain wants to deregulate the health care system much in the same way he helped deregulate the economic system.

Contact Sarah Arkin at or (434) 791-7983.