Analysis of Presidential Candidates' Health Care Plans

By Body1 Staff

Health care in the United States is a critical issue in the upcoming Nov. 2 election. Body1 has analyzed both plans so that community members based in the United States can make informed decisions. This analysis is based on public statements of both George W. Bush and John F. Kerry and their staffs, materials from their respective websites, and US government reports. Further information on each candidate’s plan can be found at their website links below.

George W. Bush Health Plan: http://www.georgewbush.com/agenda/chapter.aspx?ID=2

John F. Kerry Health Plan: http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/health_care/health_care.html

George W. Bush Health Plan	John F. Kerry Health Plan
Reducing Health Cost
Establish Health Savings Accounts (HSA's) funded by tax deductions to up to $3,000 for families and $1,000 for Individuals. Tax credits to businesses of up to $500/ worker Will issue new government rules to increase generic drug competition Allow small businesses to pool together to buy healthcare in blocks via Association Health Plans (expanding coverage to 600,000 additional Americans re; Congressional Budget Office) Change laws to allow individuals to shop for their healthcare across state lines Establish programs to support electronic medical records by 2014	Create "Premium Rebate Pool" to reimburse premium costs for employer and group health plans that experience individual claims beyond a threshold (approx. $25,000 ) Decrease family out-of-pocket premiums by $1,000 per year Tax credits to small businesses for up to 50% cost of coverage 25% tax credit for those between 55-65 yrs. of age with salaries under 300% of Federal Poverty limits 75% health insurance tax credit for unemployed workers Require disease management programs be adopted by health plans Disseminate best practices in disease prevention and health promotion Establish programs to support electronic medical records by 2008
Expanding Access
Expand Community & Rural Health Centers, adding an additional 1,200 centers to reach an additional 6 million people in inner cities/rural areas by 2009	Expand Medicaid coverage to est. 26 million additional Americans, including 20 million children (all children in families making under 300% of the Federal Poverty level) Automatically enroll children when they come to school Expand Medicaid coverage to (aprox.7 million) parent of families under 200% of Poverty Level Expand Medicaid coverage to all adults under Poverty level Remove 5 yr. waiting period for legal immigrant pregnant women and children to receive Medicaid benefits Allow all Americans to buy into the Federal Employees Health Plan Extend Family health benefits to domestic partners
Malpractice Lawsuits
Limit punitive damages in medical malpractice lawsuits to $250,000	Require medical specialists to predetermine “reasonable claims” prior to medical liability actions Require mediation in all cases prior to trials Require proof of intentional misconduct as precondition for punitive damages
Stem Cell Research
Supports Adult stem cell research Supports limiting Embryonic Stem Cell research beyond existing lines	Supports Adult stem cell research Supports expanding Embryonic Stem Cell research beyond existing lines
Drug Re-importation from Canada
Opposed	For
Medicaid *
Extend Medicaid eligibility to cover an additional 2.6 million Shift $24 Billion in cost to States over 10 years	Help States get same preferential pharmaceutical pricing as Federal Government gets for Medicare Pay 100% of cost of Medicaid programs to expand access
Medicare **
Voluntary Prescription Drug discount cards credit of up to $600/ yr. for two years for low income seniors to buy prescription drugs Institute full coverage of prescription drug costs with $5 copay to 12 million low income seniors Extend paid Medicare coverage to preventive screening for heart disease and diabetes and initial physical exams	Drive down prices by forcing price transparency for Pharmacy Benefit Managers, federally-led price negotiations, and drug reimportation from Canada Allow Medicare to pay for alternative care options, including home care and community care for seniors
Projected Program Costs (to Federal Government)
$156 Billion after savings	$700 Billion after savings

* (Joint Federal-State Program providing Healthcare coverage to the least wealthy)
** (Federal Plan providing Healthcare coverage to those over 65 years old)

Photo: Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc.

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