Herman Cain on Health Care

Summary

Despite the fact that Herman Cain has not held public office, he has a long history of public involvement in health care. This history shows the viewpoint that politicians use health care as a tool to implement government control in areas that the government should not be involved. He notes that programs such as Medicare and Medicaid are continually promised to more and more people, leading to a creep towards socialized medicine as more and more people become fully reliant on government health care. The unrealistic growth of these programs means that they cannot be funded through straight forward mechanisms. Mr. Cain supports free market principles in health care and as little government involvement as possible.

Herman Cain first participated in health care reform in the early 1990's as the head of the National Restaurants Association when he spoke out against Hillary Clinton's proposed health care reform plans. He stated that President Clinton's cost estimates were not realistic.

Mr Cain has written often about Medicare and Medicaid and noted that the systems were designed on static models of population and costs which are no longer true. He proposed changing from a system of defined benefits to a system of defined contributions with more competition in the delivery systems.

Although he supports assisting children with welfare benefits for health care, Mr Cain opposed the expansion of SCHIP. He noted that although the rhetoric stated that only poor children would be assisted, the plan denoted "poor" as people earning as much as $83,000 a year. He stated that the plan and it's expansion was simply another mechanism to pull the country toward socialized medicine.

Herman Cain opposed Obamacare and supports it's repeal. During the debate over the plan, he stated that there were five tactics used to push socialized medicine onto the country. The tactics included a government mandate, making government health insurance an option, taxing private health benefits, telling people they can receive free health care, and pushing the "it's now or never" mentality. He noted that those supporing Obamacare were using all these tactics, instead of promoting the plan on it's own merits.

As part of his 2012, campaign, Mr Cain has outlned measures that he would take to address health care concerns. These measures include:

• Change the tax code.rn
  • Allow people the same tax deductibility for health insurance as employers
  • Establish a tax structure that does not punish insurance purchasing, such as the Fair Tax
• Reduce costly government mandates and regulations
• Allow the purchase of insurance across state lines
• Expand Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
• Support Retail Health Clinics
• Implement Tort Reform
• Provide Vouchers for the Working Poor and Chronically Ill

 

Question with President Clinton

When President Clinton attempted to reform the health care system. At an event to promote that plan, President Clinton took a question from Herman Cain, who was representing the National Restaurants Association and Godfather's Pizza. Mr. Cain question President Clinton's estimation of the costs of his plan and pointed out the mathematical nuances of his assertions.

 

Gross Negligence - Medicare and Medicaid

In March of 2006, Herman Cain wrote an article discussing the overall effects of government involvement in health care. He discusses the failures of Medicare an Medicaid, and the efforts to creep the systems towards socialism.

 

Piecemeal Socialism

In December of 2006, Herman Cain wrote an article discussing the Democratic plan to address health care. He states that the plan is to creep towards socialism.

 

The Fair Tax and Health Care

In March of 2007, Herman Cain wrote an article discussing how the Fair Tax would lead to greater choice in health care for everyone. He expresses his opposition to universal style systems.

 

It's for the Children

In August of 2007, Herman Cain wrote an article discussing SCHIP. He stated that the program was well intentioned, but that it has grown out of control.

 

Rosy Picture of Health Care

In August of 2007, Herman Cain wrote an article discussing the rosy picture that many people paint of other country's health care programs in comparison to the US. He notes that this dishonesty does not help the debate.

 

Hillary Health

In September of 2007, Herman Cain wrote an article discussing the plan put forth by Senator Clinton and the inability to determine the cost of the plan. He discusses his views that competition lowers prices.

 

War of Words with SCHIP

In September of 2007, Herman Cain wrote an article discussing the SCHIP program and the war of words being used to describe the program.

 

Health Care Ignorance

In April of 2009, Herman Cain wrote an article discussing health care reform. He writes about health care ignorance, and talks about examples from his talk show.

 

Seven Ways to Make Health Care Better

In April of 2009, Herman Cain wrote an article listing seven changes that could be made to the health care system to make health care better.

 

Rhetoric vs Fact

In June of 2009, Herman Cain wrote an article discussing some common health care rhetoric.

 

5 Tricks to Accept Socialist Health Care

In June of 2009, Herman Cain wrote an article discussing five tricks that liberals use to trick Americans into accepting socialized health care.

 

Questions for Obama

In July of 2009, Herman Cain wrote an article discussing questions he had for President Obama concerning his health care reform legislation.

 

Define the Right Problem

In September of 2009, Mr Cain appeared on Fox News's Neil Cavuto and discussed the proposed health care reform plan and the public option.

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Neil Cavuto Appearance

On January 4, 2011 Herman Cain appeared on Fox News's Neil Cavuto and discussed his support for repealing the 2009-2010 health care reform legislation.

 

Reagan Debate

In September of 2011, Herman Cain participated in the Republican debate at the Reagan library. He was asked about mandates and stated that they were unconstitutional. He describes his plan if elected.

 

TEA Party Debate

In September of 2011, Mr Cain participated in the TEA Party debate and was asked health care. He talks about tort reform and personal saving accounts.

 

Fox News / Google Debate

On September 22, 2011 Herman Cain participated in the Fox News / Google debate. He tells the story of his involvement with the medical industry and stage 4 cancer treatement.

 

The Western Debate

In October of 2011, Herman Cain participated in the Western Debate in Las Vegas. He supports HR 3400 that was already in the congress that allowed for tort reform and cross state purchase of insurance.

 

2012 Presidential Campaign Website Statements

 

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