Image provided by: SEIU Local 503; Salem, OR
About Dignity (Salem, OR) 200?-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2004)
RESEARCH FROM YOUR UNION The Candidates' Record On Health Care GEORGE W. BUSH In almost four years in office, Bush's only proposal to expand access to health insurance relies on changes in tax policy that won't enable most uninsured people to afford a health care plan. (Families USA, testimony, 1/6/04) More affordable health care Bush proposed a 30% cut in funds for children's hospitals in his 2004 budget. Health coverage for kids JOHN KERRY Kerry's common-sense plan will provide coverage to 99% of children and 96% of adults by eliminating Bush's tax breaks for the richest 1%. (Seattle Times, 3/17/04; Philadelphia Inquirer, 5/17/03) Plan information at www.johnkerry.com Ig^rkerry introduced one of the I^J first bills to expand health care Bush signed a Medicare prescription drug law that provides coverage for some seniors beginning in 2006 and drug discount cards this year. (Center for Budget & Policy Priorities, 12/8/03) This Medicare plan does nothing to rein in health care costs. (Consumers Union, 6/27/03) Under Bush's plan, drug companies, HMOs and PPOs stand to gain an estimated $226 billion. (USAction, 11/20/03) Bush opposed adequate funding for health care facilities and measures to stop the epidemic of medical errors. (Center for Budget and Policy Priorities) Bush shifted money from federal and state health care programs to pay for tax breaks for millionaires and wealthy corporations. (Kaiser Family Foundation, Families USA) to uninsured children. (Cong. Quarterly Weekly, 4/24/03) (Bush 2004 Budget) Less expensive prescriptions One reason health care is in crisis: Bush signed into law a deal with the drug and insurance companies from which they'll get a windfall. Because of deals like this, affordable health care is not a reality in this country. Kerry supported a law to make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors on Medicare by keeping down drug costs while capping out-of-pocket expenses. (S. 812, 7/23/02) Kerry will use the government's purchasing power to negotiate lower drug prices and will allow re-importation of prescription medicine from Canada. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 1/22/04) Protecting Quality Care in Hospitals & Nursing Homes Kerry fought to pass a law to help reduce the national shortage of nurses. Kerry's law includes grants to improve nurse retention and patient safety. (Cong. Quarterly, 4/24/03; www.nursingworld.org) Kerry also fought to protect Medicare and Medicaid from cuts that would have drained resources our hospitals and nursing homes need. (S Con Res 13, 5/22/95) STRONGER TOGETHER Page 9
