In recent years the national Republican Party has convince people to vote against their own social and economic self interest. Hopefully, we won’t be fooled again.

As a physician in a small medical practice in Bangor since 1980, I have learned a few things about health care policy and the operation of a small business. Most Americans under 65 fortunate enough to have health insurance are covered by an employer-provided or subsidized policy. Unfortunately, the cost of providing this insurance is becoming unmanageable. Furthermore, businesses providing coverage are at an economic disadvantage compared to those that cannot.

John McCain proposes that individuals and families receiving employer-based coverage be taxed on the value of that insurance. This will undermine the entire employer-based system. I suspect that is his intention. But, he argues, he will provide us with a $5,000 tax credit toward the purchase of private insurance. That will work fine for young healthy single people, but is woefully inadequate for anyone who actually needs health care.

McCain’s plan will be a bonanza for the insurance executives who are already profiting handsomely from the Bush policies of the last eight years.

Barack Obama proposes supporting small business by subsidizing employer-based plans. This will greatly expand the availability of health insurance and level the playing field for businesses already providing coverage. This has great appeal to me as a healthcare provider, healthcare consumer, and as a small-business owner. Let’s put a Democrat in the White House and propel our health care system into the 21st century.

David L. Levy, MD

Bangor