What'll It Be, Joe? An HMO or a PPO?

This was a classic moment in Wednesday's debate. Here we find Senator McCain attacking Obama for levying a fine against small businesses who don't provide healthcare to their employees. Let's watch...



So, who was telling the truth? According to FactCheck:

McCain raised a similar charge at the last debate. It's still false. Obama’s plan, which is posted on his Web site, specifically says, “Small businesses will be exempt from this requirement.” Obama hasn't defined exactly what he means by "small" but he seems to think Joe would qualify; he repeatedly referred to Joe’s “small business” during their exchange. Obama's health plan does mandate that children have health coverage. If Joe doesn't provide insurance for his kids, he would face some unspecified penalty.

Politifact had this to say:

McCain used this charge during the second debate as well. We found it False then, and it's still problematic now.

Here's the outline of Obama's plan: It expands health care coverage for those who don't have it by a number of strategies, such as creating national pools for individuals to buy their own insurance. It increases eligibility for the poor and children to enroll in initiatives like Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. And it aims at reining in costs for everyone by streamlining medical record-keeping and emphasizing preventive care. Obama's plan does not mandate coverage, except for children.

Obama's plan says that employers who don't offer their employees insurance will be required to contribute to the national pool, what McCain calls a "fine." But Obama's plan specifically exempts small businesses from contributing to the pool. The plan does not define what's a small business and what's not. We can't say for sure whether plumber Joe would be considered a small business under Obama's plan or not. But generally, Obama does not fine "small businesses." They are specifically exempt. We rate McCain's claim False.

I don't know of any other non-partisan fact-checking sites, so if anyone comes across anything contrary to what I've put up here, let me know.

OK, that's two hefty blogs in an evening - time for bed. Next blog will be about Micky Mouse and the fabric of democracy.