HD Blog

HEALTH CARE

Bush: Number of Americans without health insurance has risen in his presidency, reaching 43.6 million in 2002, up from 41.2 million in 2001 and 39.8 million in 2000, according to Census Bureau. Has won passage of prescription drug benefit for older Americans that will subsidize costs for low-income patients and encourage private insurance companies to offer coverage for the elderly willing to opt out of traditional Medicare. New tax-free medical savings accounts can be opened by people under 65 who meet certain conditions.

Dean: Expand state health insurance program for poor children to include kids from moderate-income families, young adults and the working poor. Tax credits to help workers of moderate income buy affordable coverage similar to that offered to federal employees, with extra insurance subsidies for companies employing fewer than 50 people. Federal government to pay 70 percent of temporary insurance costs for people between jobs, with former employers required to extend coverage for additional two months.

Edwards: Tax breaks to make children's health coverage affordable to families that agree to buy it. A family of four earning less than $60,000 would pay less than $370 a year for their kids' insurance; a lower income family of four would pay about $110. Infants to be enrolled at birth in either government health care programs or private insurance. Children up to age 21 would be required to sign up when they visit doctors' offices or start school. Also, advocates subsidies to help two-thirds of uninsured adults buy coverage. People aged 55 to 65 could buy into Medicare, and unemployed workers who are not wealthy could continue coverage from their last jobs with 70 percent federal subsidies.

Kerry: Expand existing insurance system for federal employees to private citizens through tax credits and subsidies. Unemployed would get 75 percent tax credit to help pay for insurance. Tax credits for small businesses and their employees for health insurance. People aged 55 to 64 could buy into federal employees' health plan at affordable price. Government would help companies and insurers pay an employee's catastrophic medical costs if the firms would agree to hold down premiums. Federal support to expand access to state-administered health insurance for children.

Kucinich: National health insurance providing single-payer universal health care.

Sharpton: Amend the Constitution to enshrine the right to health care of equal quality for everyone.