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Bush's Upcoming Policies Will Worsen Health Care Crisis, Hit Hardest Most Vulnerable
In the State of the Union address tonight, Bush is expected to put forth a series of proposals aimed at addressing the nation’s ailing health care system. Critics contend that Bush’s proposals will ultimately discourage people from seeking the care they need. We hear from a Medicare recipient who testified at the recent Congressional briefing about difficulties she endured under the new drug prescription benefit program and speak with Families USA about Bush’s health insurance plan.
In Bush’s first term, the number of people without health insurance increased by more than 1 million, bringing the total number of uninsured to more than 45 million in 2004. And according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the cost of a health-insurance plan for a family of four hit over $10,800 last year. This was 70% more than in 2000.
In tonight’s address, Bush is expected to put forth a series of proposals that include tax deductions for out-of-pocket medical expenses, expansion of health savings accounts and tax breaks for small businesses and individuals who buy their own health insurance. But critics contend these proposals do little to expand health coverage, and in fact transfer much of the health care costs to the individual. They argue that ultimately this discourages people from seeking the care they need.
Another issue the President is expected to address tonight is Medicare. At the start of the year, the new Medicare prescription drug benefit went into effect. It has already been plagued by a host of glitches angering both seniors and pharmacists. Under the new program, millions of senior citizens and disabled people are eligible to enroll in private plans run by insurers and pharmaceutical benefit companies. Bush pushed through the plan in 2003 and touted the program as benefiting low-income seniors. However, the Social Security Administration recently found that the plan is leaving at least 4.7 million low-income seniors without the benefits they are entitled to.
* Ron Pollack, Founding Executive Director of Families USA.
* Ruth Grunberg, Medicare recipient who testified at the recent Congressional briefing to examine how the new Medicare drug benefit is working.
LISTEN ONLINE:
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/01/31/1532249
In tonight’s address, Bush is expected to put forth a series of proposals that include tax deductions for out-of-pocket medical expenses, expansion of health savings accounts and tax breaks for small businesses and individuals who buy their own health insurance. But critics contend these proposals do little to expand health coverage, and in fact transfer much of the health care costs to the individual. They argue that ultimately this discourages people from seeking the care they need.
Another issue the President is expected to address tonight is Medicare. At the start of the year, the new Medicare prescription drug benefit went into effect. It has already been plagued by a host of glitches angering both seniors and pharmacists. Under the new program, millions of senior citizens and disabled people are eligible to enroll in private plans run by insurers and pharmaceutical benefit companies. Bush pushed through the plan in 2003 and touted the program as benefiting low-income seniors. However, the Social Security Administration recently found that the plan is leaving at least 4.7 million low-income seniors without the benefits they are entitled to.
* Ron Pollack, Founding Executive Director of Families USA.
* Ruth Grunberg, Medicare recipient who testified at the recent Congressional briefing to examine how the new Medicare drug benefit is working.
LISTEN ONLINE:
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/01/31/1532249
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