Bush Focusing on Health Care in Michigan

[cthrumatrix]

Bush Focusing on Health Care in Michigan


By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer

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"The president has a different view, in that he wants to strengthen the patient-doctor relationship and put more control in the hands of consumers," the spokesman said.


Bush says small businesses ought to be allowed to pool resources to buy health insurance at discounts available to large companies. He also favors expanding health saving accounts and plans to propose a tax credit to help poor families and individuals to buy health coverage. Further, he wants to ensure that each of America's poorest communities has a health center to serve the underprivileged.


In addition, Bush has called for a medical liability overhaul that will speed damages to those injured through malpractice and help keep insurance premiums within the reach of good doctors. He rarely misses an opportunity on the campaign trail to note that Kerry's running mate, Sen. John Edwards (news - web sites), who earned millions as a trial attorney before turning to politics.

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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040913/ap_on_el_pr/bush&cid=694&ncid=1963&sid=96378798

People will not accept this bullshit answer from the guy who already screwed them on Medicare.

His vision is - "we are not funding healthcare...save yourself" ...govt money is going for corp tax breaks and tax cuts for the super wealthy

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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[Jade Fox]

2. Does anybody notice Bush has not given a sh*t about health care...

for the last four years???

And I guarentee you if he is re-elected he will forget all about it.

[cthrumatrix]

3. Many people see this as a huge diff... seniors don't like shrub's

dance on medicare and are scared about soc security...

[wildeyed]

4. I own a small business.

The health insurance premiums for my employees rose 50% last year. I am worried, that with the flat economy and the rising health costs, I will be forced to eliminate coverage in the near future. Either that or layoff a full time worker.

My family pays something like 10-15% of our entire income for health insurance. We are not all that far from being without ourselves, and I have always thought of us as solidly middle class. But another increase in health care costs or a decrease in our income will push us into the ranks of the un-insured.

So here are my questions.

Why has George W. not done something already? This problem is reaching crisis like proportions.

Bush says small businesses ought to be allowed to pool resources to buy health insurance at discounts available to large companies. What exactly does that mean? I have seen this before, but no detail. Or timetable for implementation.

I am sorry, I don't believe his little free market fixes are going to help the problem. Just another boondoggle to put $$$'s in his campaign contributors pockets.

[leesa]

6. Because he doesn't WANT small business to survive

It should be clear to you by now that Republican rhetoric about small business is just that. They want super corporations to swallow up your businesses. That's how Bush and his pals stay super wealthy. They WANT you to fail. Get it?

[cthrumatrix]

7. it's a big business pay off.... and yes it does result in small bus failur

[wildeyed]

10. Well they can HAVE my business.

Kidding. But we are so unprofitable, small and specialized, I doubt any large corporation would want us. There are probably less than 100 people in the country who even understand what we do. But we fill a niche in our community and are happy doing what we do.

[auburngrad82]

5. Pool Resources???

This kills me. The largest single group of healthcare recipients are Medicare recipients. The Bush supported Medicare reform bill specifically denied the government the ability to negotiate drug prices. Since then drug prices have risen about 4 times the rate of inflation. The bill wastes the government's clout and allows drug companies to raise prices at will.

It was announced last week that Medicare costs will increase 17%.

One month after the bill was passed, the cost went from $400 million to $520 million.

The United State is has the shortest life expectancy of the 10 top industrial nations but the highest drug costs. Drug companies are reporting profit margins of about 20-25%. That's huge when you consider companies like Intel and Wal-Mart report profit margins around 3-9%. The drug companies are gouging us.

My personal healthcare costs just jumped 25% in August. My copay went from $15 to $20 and my deductible went from $300 to $500.

But at least I have insurance. Since Shrub took office over 9 million Americans have lost their health insurance.

How the hell can he campaign on healthcare???

[priller]

8. All good points, auburngrad

The provision in his healthcare package that he's talked about the most is reducing liability for doctors to protect them from the evil trial lawyers. I suspect that's the only thing he's really interested in.

[BootinUp]

9. Good post

Glad you are still hangin in there. I also would add that the insurance industry has already rejected the idea of regional insurance. There was a story in the NYT about a month ago that covered this. They want to do it by state not region.