Kerry Press Release: Medicare Announces Record Hike in Premiums

[Skinner]

For Immediate Release
September 3, 2004

MEDICARE ANNOUNCES RECORD HIKE IN PREMIUMS
The Choice is Clear: Bush’s Failed Policy vs. Kerry Plan to Address Rising Costs

Kerry-Edwards spokesman Phil Singer said: "After doing nothing about the record increases in the cost of health care over the last four years, George Bush is presiding over a Medicare system that is socking seniors with the largest premium hike in the program's forty year history. When it comes to helping seniors, George Bush has proven that he's taking us in the wrong direction by giving billions to the drug industry while keeping seniors from accessing cheaper prescription drugs.

"The choice is clear: If voters want a president who gives billions to the drug companies, stick with George Bush. If voters want a president who will put the needs of seniors first and protect Medicare, vote for John Kerry."

Premiums will increase by a record 17%. Under Medicare Part B, which pays for doctors visits and outpatient hospital services, Medicare beneficiaries will be forced to pay 17% more on their monthly premiums, representing “the largest increase in the program's 40-year history.” (AP, 9/3/04)

Comes at a time when the Bush administration increased Medicare deductibles by 10%. In Bush’s Medicare drug bill last year, he increased deductibles by 10%. The last time deductibles increased was in 1991.

George Bush is hiding behind the record increases in Medicare costs for seniors. Since George Bush took office, his administration has always announced Medicare premiums and copays in Mid-October. Choosing to announce the significantly higher premiums on the day after the Republican convention – when a major hurricane is about to hit Florida – proves they are scared about the record cost increases for seniors. (Previous announcements: 10/19/2001; 10/18/2002; 10/16/2003)

Bush Administration Gave Special Interest Paybacks to the Pharmaceutical Industry. The average cost of the top 10 most-used prescription drugs went up 8.7 percent in 2003 alone. But the Bush Medicare initiative gave away an extra $139 billion in corporate profits to the cost of the bill. (AdvancePCS, 8/25/03; Medicare Rights Center, 11/14/03)

-30-

www.johnkerry.com
Paid for by Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc.

[jean]

1. the Kerry press releases are always thorough and excellent - but when

will his info hit the mainstream news so kitchen table talk can begin to include discussion of John Kerry?

[depakid]

2. The corporate media simply won't discuss them

They aren't interested in airing actual issues without some controversy to make them juicy. They aren't in it for the public interest- although by law they should be. They're in it for the ratings- and for what they consider their regulatory best interests (i.e. Republican control of all branchs of government).

[MaineDem]

3. Excellent!

But it's a Friday before a long weekend WITH a hurricane.

Still, this should create more buzz than just the government releasing it.