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Protesters hold mock funeral for health care
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BY DANIEL AXELROD
STAFF WRITER
Wearing Grim Reaper robes and John McCain masks, carrying scythes and a coffin, union members held a mock funeral Friday in Scranton for the U.S. health care system under the Republican presidential nominee’s policies.
Scranton was the final stop of 18 in a nine-state tour by nine workers — dubbed the “Change to Win Truth Squad” — funded and organized by a coalition of seven labor unions. Sponsors include the Service Employees International Union and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
The workers criticized Mr. McCain’s other policies at earlier tour stops. In Scranton, curious onlookers watched as the demonstrators, six from Nevada, two from Illinois and one from Florida, filed out of a gray-and-black bus beside the William J. Nealon Federal Courthouse.
They marched to McCain-Palin headquarters on Linden Street where they criticized the health plan of Mr. McCain, the U.S. senator from Arizona, and chanted “can’t afford four more” years of President Bush’s policies.
The group attacked a key provision of Mr. McCain’s strategy, which would replace the current tax exemption for employer-provided health insurance with tax credits of $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families.
Without the tax break, they say, employers will drop health insurance, pushing younger, healthy individuals into the private market and forcing them to pay more for health insurance, which amounts to a “middle-class tax.”
“There are people out here suffering without because they either buy their medication or their food,” said Jim Jeske, 60, of Chicago, a county highway department engineering technician and a member of SEIU Local 73.
Mr. McCain’s initiative lowers costs by relying mainly on individuals and the free market. Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois focuses on the government and mandates for affordable coverage.
Mr. McCain opposes mandatory health insurance, favors families choosing their insurance providers and, if they find insurance cheaper than the tax credit, letting them deposit funds in bigger health savings accounts.
Mr. Obama would require all children have health insurance, and make employers provide workers with health benefits or contribute funds toward the costs of a new public health insurance program. He would expand Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Plan.
“I just don’t know how a single government plan can take into account the differing medical needs of 300 million people” in America, said Charlie Spano, manager of the local McCain headquarters.
“Paid mobile squads chanting talking points as some kind of incantation seldom sway people,” Mr. Spano added. “The facts of a McCain plan that has affordable, portable health insurance with a tax credit, that’s what sways people.”
Contact the writer: daxelrod@timesshamrock.com
Scranton was the final stop of 18 in a nine-state tour by nine workers — dubbed the “Change to Win Truth Squad” — funded and organized by a coalition of seven labor unions. Sponsors include the Service Employees International Union and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
The workers criticized Mr. McCain’s other policies at earlier tour stops. In Scranton, curious onlookers watched as the demonstrators, six from Nevada, two from Illinois and one from Florida, filed out of a gray-and-black bus beside the William J. Nealon Federal Courthouse.
They marched to McCain-Palin headquarters on Linden Street where they criticized the health plan of Mr. McCain, the U.S. senator from Arizona, and chanted “can’t afford four more” years of President Bush’s policies.
The group attacked a key provision of Mr. McCain’s strategy, which would replace the current tax exemption for employer-provided health insurance with tax credits of $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families.
Without the tax break, they say, employers will drop health insurance, pushing younger, healthy individuals into the private market and forcing them to pay more for health insurance, which amounts to a “middle-class tax.”
“There are people out here suffering without because they either buy their medication or their food,” said Jim Jeske, 60, of Chicago, a county highway department engineering technician and a member of SEIU Local 73.
Mr. McCain’s initiative lowers costs by relying mainly on individuals and the free market. Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois focuses on the government and mandates for affordable coverage.
Mr. McCain opposes mandatory health insurance, favors families choosing their insurance providers and, if they find insurance cheaper than the tax credit, letting them deposit funds in bigger health savings accounts.
Mr. Obama would require all children have health insurance, and make employers provide workers with health benefits or contribute funds toward the costs of a new public health insurance program. He would expand Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Plan.
“I just don’t know how a single government plan can take into account the differing medical needs of 300 million people” in America, said Charlie Spano, manager of the local McCain headquarters.
“Paid mobile squads chanting talking points as some kind of incantation seldom sway people,” Mr. Spano added. “The facts of a McCain plan that has affordable, portable health insurance with a tax credit, that’s what sways people.”
Contact the writer: daxelrod@timesshamrock.com
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of thetimes-tribune.com.
Margaret wrote on Oct 4, 2008 8:55 AM:
" Mr Spano, you ask how the government can handle healthcare? May I suggest dropping a line to Canada, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Japan, Russia, New Zealand, Austria, Denmark, Belgium, Cyprus, Chile, Portugal, Sweden, China, Costa Rica, Finland, Iceland, Israel, Luxemburg, Scotland, Wales, England, Australia and even Cuba, Iraq and Afghanistan, to name a few who do it successfully. Insurance and drug company greed is the reason we don't have it. But how the heck would McCain run his campaign if it wasn't funded by those companies? "
Paul Chrastina wrote on Oct 4, 2008 11:30 AM:
" " Margaret, stop listening to propaganda and start doing your own research.
Germany--latest poll shows a DISSATISFACTION rate of 49.9 %.
Australia--Long waiting lines for "Hip replacement, cataracts etc." up to a year. Critical surgery(Cardiac)has little wait. The system uses both PRIVATE and government funding.
Before you start throwing names around , check your facts. I'm getting tired of doing your work for you. Didn't bother checking the others but I do know about Cuba. Now there's a country that the U.S. should emulate ??'' "
Germany--latest poll shows a DISSATISFACTION rate of 49.9 %.
Australia--Long waiting lines for "Hip replacement, cataracts etc." up to a year. Critical surgery(Cardiac)has little wait. The system uses both PRIVATE and government funding.
Before you start throwing names around , check your facts. I'm getting tired of doing your work for you. Didn't bother checking the others but I do know about Cuba. Now there's a country that the U.S. should emulate ??'' "
Margaret wrote on Oct 4, 2008 4:48 PM:
" Chill out Paul. My point was almost every modern, civil and industrial country has some sort of nationalized healthcare systems except us. I'm sure you feel our system works just fine. What do you do? Are you a doctor? Insurance employee? The country is in big trouble. Healthcare is a large part of it, besides the greed in other aspects of our economy. Get ready for some sort of universal healthcare. It's coming. I'd like to call it medicare for everyone. "
Margaret wrote on Oct 4, 2008 4:51 PM:
" One more thing Paul. Let some of those countries try to stop those programs and move to a system like ours. Even with some dissatisfaction, the people will march in the millions to stop it. "
Paul Chrastina wrote on Oct 4, 2008 6:39 PM:
" "I'm cool Margaret;
I believe that 50% of the people in England might march--What about the other half ?
Your point , as I read it, states that hte mentioned countries who rely on the government for healthcare are successful. I picked two and
did some research and found your statement wrong. Like your chosen candidate ( I assume Obama), why do you find it so hard to admit that you were in error. ?
Don't tell me what I think ! I never said that our system "works just fine". There are problems that have to be repaired but having the government in charge of the system is another socialist idea that is doomed to fail.
Medicare for everyone ? Margaret, Medicare is going broke ! If the government can't run a program that covers a small portion of the population, how can they be expected to take care of the entire population ?
Most of the nations that you mentioned are making provisions for the private sector to once again become involved.
I know your heart is in the right place and I agree that something must be done to control the immense problems that the insurance industry poses, but governmenr takeover?
I honestly don't think so.''
PS- No I'm not a physician either.' "
I believe that 50% of the people in England might march--What about the other half ?
Your point , as I read it, states that hte mentioned countries who rely on the government for healthcare are successful. I picked two and
did some research and found your statement wrong. Like your chosen candidate ( I assume Obama), why do you find it so hard to admit that you were in error. ?
Don't tell me what I think ! I never said that our system "works just fine". There are problems that have to be repaired but having the government in charge of the system is another socialist idea that is doomed to fail.
Medicare for everyone ? Margaret, Medicare is going broke ! If the government can't run a program that covers a small portion of the population, how can they be expected to take care of the entire population ?
Most of the nations that you mentioned are making provisions for the private sector to once again become involved.
I know your heart is in the right place and I agree that something must be done to control the immense problems that the insurance industry poses, but governmenr takeover?
I honestly don't think so.''
PS- No I'm not a physician either.' "
