 Opposes a strong patients’ bill of rights. When HMOs sought to overturn state laws that hold HMOs accountable, the Bush administration supported the HMOs when the case went to the U.S. Supreme Court. (The New York Times, 3/22/02; The Washington Post, 6/18/04) |
By proposing individuals pay the first $1,000 of annual health care costs, Bush’s proposal will make health care more expensive for working families, and his plan will not stop health care costs from rising. (“Federal Costs and Newly Insured Under President Bush’s Health Insurance Proposal,” Kenneth Thorpe, 5/5/04) |
| Proposed a 30 percent cut in funds for children’s hospitals in his 2004 budget and in 2001 proposed slashing $11 billion from the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. (Bush 2004 budget; Center on Budget and Policy Priorities) | By proposing individuals pay the first $1,000 of annual health care costs, Bush’s proposal will make health care more expensive for working families, and his plan will not stop health care costs from rising. (“Federal Costs and Newly Insured Under President Bush’s Health Insurance Proposal,” Kenneth Thorpe, 5/5/04) |
 Supports a strong patients’ bill of rights that allows patients to visit the specialists they need and choose their own doctors and holds HMOs accountable when they make mistakes that hurt patients. (S. 1052, R.C. 220, 6/29/01; www.johnkerry.com) |
Will extend affordable health care coverage to 95 percent of Americans so they get the same health coverage as members of Congress. Kerry’s plan will lower private health insurance costs and expand the number of people with health insurance. (Reuters Health, 5/16/03; “Federal Costs and Savings Associated with Senator Kerry’s Health Plan,” Kenneth Thorpe, 8/2/04) |
| Will provide a health care plan that covers every child in the United States by providing aid to states to automatically enroll every eligible school child in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and by expanding eligibility for Medicaid health coverage. (www.johnkerry.com) | Will extend affordable health care coverage to 95 percent of Americans so they get the same health coverage as members of Congress. Kerry’s plan will lower private health insurance costs and expand the number of people with health insurance. (Reuters Health, 5/16/03; “Federal Costs and Savings Associated with Senator Kerry’s Health Plan,” Kenneth Thorpe, 8/2/04) |