John McCain and Barack Obama have offered proposals that would — in very different ways — reshape the landscape of American health care. The Chronicle spoke with several scholars about how the study of health economics and health policy has evolved since the Clinton plan collapsed in 1994 — and whether this year's candidates seem to have learned anything from that scholarship. Full Story »
Posted by Alexander C. Kafka
This essay explains the fine print of proposals by the Obama and McCain campaigns, identifying strengths and weaknesses in fair and balanced ways--with a historical theme, in addition, from Truman to Hillary Clinton and into the projected future. A shortcoming, at least for Chronicle Review readers, is how all this relates to academe, other than citing expert sources who also are professors. True, The Chronicle Review brings to the academic audience a wealth of information each week via in-depth analysis of contemporary issues, and does so, as with this article, via exemplary writing and tight editing; but insurance is an issue on campuses as in businesses. Professors typically co-pay for insurance--in some cases hundreds per month; and at some universities, like my former institution, Ohio--the issue of who controls the funds can cause controversy; in OU's case, a possible union vote ( http://www.athensnews.com/news/campusnews/2008/jun/12/ou-faculty-seeking-unionize/ ). Moreover, the Chronicle's archive has a wealth of information concerning other health-insurance issues. For instance, a July 21, 2006 article by Elizabeth Farrell discusses basic shortfalls and lack of sufficient coverage for college students. A July 18, 2008 article in The Review by Randy Dotinga discusses the problems and costs of health care for retired academics. On top of this are issues involving professional and scientific staff, general staff, adjuncts, graduate students and double-digit rising costs that add to tuition and fees and deduct from professor hires. Granted, these issues alone merit another article as each should be explored in depth against the presidential candidates' proposals. But a background paragraph noting these issues and then delving into the topic as done here would have had more impact for the readership.
The drop-down box in the "About You" tab for NewsTrust reviewers lacks "other" in terms of "disclosure" which, when clicked, should open a window such as the one here so that the reviewer can disclose the nature of the relationship. In this case, I should mention that I write regularly for The Chronicle and The Chronicle Review and often with Alex Kafka who edited and submitted this article.