CHARITY MUST ANIMATE THE ENTIRE LIVES OF THE LAY FAITHFUL AND THEREFORE ALSO THEIR POLITICAL ACTIVITY, LIVED AS ‘SOCIAL CHARITY’” Pope Benedict XVI. D

CHARITY MUST ANIMATE THE ENTIRE LIVES OF THE LAY FAITHFUL AND THEREFORE ALSO THEIR POLITICAL ACTIVITY, LIVED AS ‘SOCIAL CHARITY’” Pope Benedict XVI. Deus Caritas Est, No. 29.

In consideration of Pope Benedict’s words above, we might practice social charity by selecting a candidate for president that will care for the health needs of all Americans. Jesus gave us his example to care for other people’s health: he healed, he cleansed, he cured – physically, mentally and spiritually. Furthermore, no one needs to argue that health care in the United States needs fixing: 47 million American’s lack health insurance; health care costs are skyrocketing.
Therefore if we choose to practice social charity regarding health care, then which presidential candidate will best care for the needs of all Americans? The chart below provides a comparison from the Commonwealth Fund’s in-depth analysis of the candidates’ health plans. The Commonwealth Fund, one of the major philanthropic foundations in the United States, is charged with the mandate to promote a high performing health care system that achieves better access, improved quality, and greater efficiency, particularly for society's most vulnerable populations. The Commonwealth’s analysis found the candidates plans to be fundamently the same within a party but fundamentally different between. http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=647708

Republican’s Plan: (as of Jan. 15, 2008)
Plans tax incentives for individuals to obtain insurance and plans to deregulate state markets;
Discusses expanding access, covering everyone is not a goal;
Envisions private insurance markets with a supporting role played by public insurance relying nearly exclusively on insurance markets for individuals;
Has no consumer protection;
Encourages individual plans with tax incentive – a tax credit that would not vary by income;
Employs new standard income tax deduction for private insurance either employer based or individual. (This change would weaken incentive of employers to provide insurance.Previously health benefits from employers only were excluded from income tax).

Democrat’s Plan: (as of Jan. 15, 2008)
Builds on existing private and public group insurance with all sharing in cost: employer, government, and individual – based on ability to pay;
Has goal of universal coverage;
Envisions private insurance markets with a supporting role played by public insurance with rules to ensure an afffordable health plan with a standard set of benefits;
Includes consumer protection;
Requires individuals to purchase coverage and employers to offer or help pay for coverage; Provides financial support for premiums for lower and moderate income families;
Provides risk pools to prevent insurers from selection against individuals with serious health risks;
Replaces individual insurance with new group insurance;
Strengthens large employers’ role;
Clinton only: Reduces amount of employer contri-butions excluded from taxable income on house-holds earning 250,000 or more to the value of a standard plan;
Clinton: Requires coverage for all at the start of her plan. Obama: At the start, covers only children and only requires adult coverage if substantial numbers do not buy.