Consumer group says Americans worse off in terms of health care during pas

[RedEarth]

WASHINGTON --American workers are paying more for their health insurance and getting less than they were four years ago, and the situation is particularly acute in several states important in the presidential race, said a consumer group that has been critical of President George W. Bush.

Families USA also noted that the number of people without insurance jumped significantly since Bush took office, with more than 85 million people uninsured at some point during 2003 or 2004.

Borrowing a comparison President Reagan made famous in the 1980 campaign, Families USA asked whether the nation is better off today than it was four years ago in terms of health care.

"Our analysis leaves no room for debate. The clear answer is no," the group said in a report with a clear political message, although it never mentions Bush by name. Families USA planned events across the nation Tuesday to publicize its findings.

Ron Pollack, Families USA's executive director, said the information was not shared in advance with any presidential campaign. The report's findings, however, dovetail with Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry's criticism of Bush on health care.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2004/09/27/consumer_group_says_americans_worse_off_in_terms_of_health_care_during_past_four_years?mode=PF