Group says McCain health plan bad for kids

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Republican presidential candidate John McCain's healthcare plan could leave millions of U.S. children uninsured, an advocacy group said Tuesday.

First Focus released a report comparing the impact of the plans put forth by McCain and his Democratic rival, Barack Obama. First Focus is a lobbying group on children's issues.

McCain's plan aims to make the market for health insurance and healthcare more competitive by taxing employee health benefits and providing a tax credit to purchase insurance either through an employer or privately. McCain also proposes allowing insurance companies to sell across state lines and to reduce spending on Medicaid.

The First Focus report said the tax credit, which is a flat one per family, is inadequate to provide coverage. Children with pre-existing conditions might lose coverage if their families are forced to buy insurance on the open market, while federal and state programs to insure children are likely to be cut back.

By contrast, Obama's proposals would guarantee children are insured, the group said.