| Obama: Health system revamp could help pay for more coverage
Fort Dodge, Ia. - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Thursday said he planned to propose a universal health care plan soon that includes federal subsidies for uninsured Americans, but he declined to say whether he expected the developing plan to require a tax increase.
The Illinois senator said during stops in the northern part of the leadoff caucus state that he expected to present in the next several weeks a specific agenda aimed at making sure all Americans were covered by health insurance by 2012.
Obama has said in principle he is open to raising income taxes to pay for domestic programs. But he stopped short Thursday of advocating a tax increase, arguing that money now spent on outdated medical record-keeping and expensive treatment for preventable illness could be used to expand coverage.
Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report Highlights Health Issues In ...
Alabama: In his March 6 speech, Gov. Bob Riley (R) said he will propose allowing small businesses to deduct from their taxes twice the amount they pay for health insurance premiums, while allowing small businesses' employees to deduct twice the amount they contribute toward their health insurance. In addition, Riley said, "We've made prescription medicines more accessible to our seniors through an expansion of our Senior RX program, and that will continue. Now, we must help our seniors and all Alabamians afford the nonprescription medicines they need." He added that he would work to eliminate the sales tax on all over-the-counter medications (Riley speech text, 3/6).
Florida: In his March 6 speech, Gov. Charlie Crist (R) said the state "must raise the profile of all children's issues, from education to health." He added, "That is why I support the creation of a 'Children's Cabinet' to coordinate state services and oversee child welfare issues." Crist also asked the state to support his proposal to allocate $20 million to "make Florida a national leader in the research of adult, amniotic and umbilical cord stem cells." He said, "Stem cell research holds the promise of unlocking the secrets to cure diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's and many others, and Florida should champion this research" (Crist speech text, 3/6)
Illinois: In his March 7 speech, Gov.
County board members attack Gov's tax plan
Several Lake County Board members strained at the leash in attacking the recent proposal by Gov. Rod Blagojevich to provide health insurance to all Illinois citizens. Covering the estimated 1.4 million Illinois residents who have no health-care coverage will cost more than $2 billion. Funding for Blagojevich's "Ilinois Covered" plan will be raised with a 1 percent tax on gross corporate revenues and taxing employers who don't provide health insurance. .
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