Epstein on the Election and Health Care Reform

The Obamacare Election

As the fractious 2012 presidential campaign careens down to a photo finish, no issue presents a starker contrast between the two candidates than health-care reform. President Obama is committed to implementing his elaborate reform of health-care markets by creating state exchanges, extending Medicaid coverage to some 25 million new enrollees, retaining the current reimbursement system for Medicare, and implementing an individual mandate.

Former Governor Romney seeks to repeal and replace Obamacare. On Medicare, Romney proposes a “premium support” or voucher system that would offer an alternative method of financial support to senior citizens and is calibrated to offer the largest subsidies to the most needy persons.

In assessing these two programs, a recent New York Times editorial minces no words in its denunciation of Romney’s proposals. The Times argues that Romney’s undeveloped proposals will not grant sufficient coverage both to those who are currently uninsured and current Medicare recipients.

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