John Kerry for President | "Paperwork"

Republican National Committee ^ | June 22, 2004

[RWR8189]

Rhetoric

CHYRON:  John Kerry on Healthcare in America

KERRY: “We spend about $1.5 trillion every year on healthcare in America. $350 billion of that has nothing to do with care. It’s all paperwork. Administrative overhead. I have a healthcare plan that can reduce the cost of healthcare. We can lower their premiums. And we will save literally billions of dollars in healthcare costs in America by becoming more streamlined and more efficient.”

CHYRON:  John Kerry; The Kerry Healthcare Plan @ JohnKerry.com

CHYRON:  Reduce the cost of healthcare; Lower premiums; Save billions on costs

KERRY: “I’m John Kerry and I approve this message.”

CHYRON:  Approved By John Kerry And Paid For By John Kerry For President

The Facts

Kerry’s Plan Would Do Little To Lower Cost Of Health Care

Harvard Health Economist Questioned Whether Kerry’s Plan Could Deliver Billions In Savings That He Promises To Achieve Through Streamlined Administration And Technology.  “To pay for all this, Kerry would roll back Bush’s tax cuts for those earning more than $200,000 a year. He also claims he would save $300 billion over 10 years by deploying both information technology and disease management programs, in which people at risk for chronic illness are identified early and put on aggressive prevention programs. … Sounds good on paper, but there are major hurdles even if the staggering price tag is politically acceptable. To start, Harvard University health economist David M. Cutler questions whether Kerry’s plan would achieve all the savings he promises, even though Cutler strongly backs the use of disease management programs.”  (Howard Gleckman, Analysis, “Whose Plan Is Healthier?” BusinessWeek, 5/24/04)

Kerry’s Catastrophic Reinsurance Pool Will Transfer Costs To Taxpayers Without Promoting More Efficient Spending.  “Mr. Kerry would partly take the burden off employers by making government responsible for 75% of the cost of catastrophic cases, those running up more than $50,000 in bills. He says these cases account for nearly 20% of private insurers’ costs. But then what? The cost is just transferred to taxpayers but there’s no injection of efficiency into incentives, no reason to imagine total costs won’t continue to grow wildly.” (Holman W. Jenkins, Jr., Op-Ed, “Faint, Desperate Hope For Health Care Leadership,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/17/04)

ü      In Fact, Kerry’s Plan Could Drive Up Health Costs And Premiums Because It Reduces Incentives For Employers To Control Costs.  “Having the government take over catastrophic health costs also is a slippery slope that would provide less incentive to employers to manage costs. There would, in fact, be an incentive for employers to get marginally high-cost workers off their rolls and into the federal till as soon as possible. This, in turn, could accelerate health costs and likely increase the premium costs for workers – exactly the opposite of Kerry’s intent.”  (Grace-Marie Turner, “The Kerry Plan,” Galen Institute, 3/5/04)

ü      Because Kerry Puts Mandates On Businesses In Order To Qualify For Reinsurance Pool, Large Employers With Many Part-Time Workers Probably Would Not Participate. “To qualify, companies would have to institute disease-management programs, which are designed to help reduce the long-term expense of such chronic illnesses as diabetes and heart disease. In addition, employers would have to offer health coverage to all workers, including part-timers. Employers, therefore, would have to weigh the cost of covering all workers against the benefit of the subsidy. Large employers with many part-time workers – such as Wal-Mart, for example – probably would pass, [health policy expert Ken] Thorpe said.”  (Marilyn Werber Serafini, “Targeting The ‘Worried Insured,’” National Journal Magazine, 2/7/04)

ü      Having Government Pay Catastrophic Costs Would Require Nearly $257 Billion In Federal Spending Over A Decade.  (Kenneth E. Thorpe, “Federal Costs And Savings Associated With Senator Kerry’s Health Care Plan,” 4/2/04)

BusinessWeek Analysis Called Kerry’s Health Care Plan “Complex, Very Costly” And Said “The Biggest Downside To The Kerry Plan Is Its Massive Cost.”  (Howard Gleckman, Analysis, “Whose Plan Is Healthier?” BusinessWeek, 5/24/04)

Kerry Opposes Medical Liability Reform That Would Lower Cost Of Health Care

Kerry Opposed Or Voted To Block Medical Liability Reform At Least Ten Times.  (H.R. 956, CQ Vote #137: Motion Rejected 39-61: R 10-44; D 29-17; I 0-0, 5/2/95, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 956, CQ Vote #140: Motion Agreed To 65-35: R 24-30; D 41-5, 5/2/95, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 956, CQ Vote #141: Motion Agreed To 56-44: R 13-41; D 43-3, 5/2/95, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 956, CQ Vote #144: Passed 53-47: R 48-6; D 5-41, 5/2/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 956, CQ Vote #151: Motion Rejected 46-53: R 44-10; D 2-43; I 0-0, 5/4/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 956, CQ Vote #152: Motion Rejected 47-52: R 45-9; D 2-43; I 0-0, 5/4/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 956, CQ Vote #160: Motion Agreed To 54-44:: R 46-7; D 8-37, 5/10/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 956, CQ Vote #161: Passed 61-37: R 46-7; D 15-30, 5/10/95, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1052, CQ Vote #212: Motion Agreed To 52-46: R 2-45; D 49-1; I 1-0, 6/29/01, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 812, CQ Vote #197: Motion Agreed To 57-42: R 6-42; D 50-0; I 1-0, 7/30/02, Kerry Voted Yea) 

Kerry Missed Both 2004 Votes, As Well As 2003 Vote, On Medical Liability Reform Legislation.  (S. 2061, CQ Vote #15: Motion Rejected 48-45: R 47-3: D 1-41; I 0-1, 2/24/04, Kerry Did Not Vote; S. 2207, CQ Vote #66: Motion Rejected 49-48: R 48-3; D 1-44; I 0-1, 4/7/04, Kerry Did Not Vote; S. 11, CQ Vote #264: Motion Rejected 49-48: R 49-2; D 0-45; I 0-1, 7/9/03, Kerry Did Not Vote) 

ü      Nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Estimated Premiums For Medical Malpractice Insurance Would Drop Average Of 25 To 30 Percent Under 2003 Medical Liability Legislation Passed By House.  The CBO also notes that about one-third of the states would see reductions in premiums “substantially larger than the overall average.”  (“Cost Estimate Of H.R. 5, Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act Of 2003,” Congressional Budget Office, 3/10/03)

ü      CBO Said House Bill Would “Lead To Lower Charges For Health Care Services And Procedures, And Ultimately, To A Decrease In Rates For Health Insurance Premiums.”  (“Cost Estimate Of H.R. 5, Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act Of 2003,” Congressional Budget Office, 3/10/03)

ü      According To A 2003 Joint Economic Committee Report, Meaningful Medical Liability Reform Could Lower Health Care Costs Sufficiently So That Another 3.9 Million Americans Could Afford Health Insurance.  (“Liability For Medical Malpractice: Issues And Evidence,” Joint Economic Committee, United States Congress, 5/03)

Kerry’s Plan Would Not Cap Damage Awards In Malpractice Lawsuits; Would “Prohibit Individuals From Bringing A Medical Malpractice Liability Action Unless A Qualified Specialist Determines That A Reasonable Claim Exists.” (John Kerry For President Website, “John Kerry’s Plan To Address Rising Health Care Costs,” www.johnkerry.com, Accessed 5/10/04)

ü      No Evidence Exists To Show That Kerry’s Proposal Would Stabilize Or Reduce Malpractice Insurance Premiums, According To Neurosurgeon And Vice President Of Florida Medical Association.  “‘The problem with Senator Kerry’s proposal is that there is not a single study or a single piece of evidence that proves that pre-claim review panels, without other basic reforms, will do anything to stabilize or reduce professional liability premiums to ensure that patients have continued access to medical care,’ said Troy M. Tippett, MD, past-chairman of ANSPAC, Vice President of the Florida Medical Association and a practicing neurosurgeon in Pensacola, Fla. ‘In fact, study after study shows that the only proven way to reform the medical litigation system is by limiting the amount of money personal injury lawyers can milk out of the system by placing reasonable limits on noneconomic damages and attorneys’ fees. Furthermore, the very definition of punitive damages is that they are only awarded in egregious cases and such damages are seldom even awarded in professional liability cases. This proposal is simply not worth the paper it is written on.’”  (American Neurological Surgery Political Action Committee, “Bush Prescription For Country’s Healthcare System Right On Target,” Press Release, 5/11/04)

Kerry Opposes Health Savings Accounts That Will Help More Americans Afford Health Insurance

Kerry Voted 4 Times Against Health/Medical Savings Accounts.  (S.1028, CQ Vote #72: Adopted 52-46: R 5-46; D 47-0, 4/18/96, Kerry Voted Yea; S.1344, CQ Vote #210: Passed 53-47: R 52-2; D 0-45; I 1-0, 7/15/99, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R.1, CQ Vote #457: Motion Agreed To 70-29: R 47-3; D 22-26; I 1-0, 11/24/03, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R.1, CQ Vote #458: Motion Agreed To 61-39: R 49-2; D 11-37; I 1-0, 11/24/03, Kerry Voted Nay)

Kerry’s Health Plan Is Not Focused On Improving Consumer Choice.  “There is little talk in the Kerry plan about individuals having control over their own choices. The words consumer choice and Health Savings Accounts don’t show up in any of his health proposals … Further, there is little acknowledgement that the world is changing and that insurance needs to be more portable, with costs and choices determined by consumers, not politicians.”  (Grace-Marie Turner, “The Kerry Plan,” Galen Institute, 3/5/04) 

ü      Study Showed That Consumer-Driven Health Care Controls Costs.  Aetna recently unveiled results of a nine-month study that found medical costs for participants in their consumer-driven HealthFund rose by just 1.5%, compared with double digit increases for a similar population.  (Aetna, “Aetna Research Shows Positive Impact Of Consumerism On Health Care Decisions,” Press Release, 2/16/04)

President Bush Has A Plan To Lower Costs By Promoting Technology And Innovation In Health Care Administration

President Bush Proposed Lowering Health Care Costs By Expanding Electronic Medical Records To Nearly All Americans Within The Next Ten Years.  The plan includes:

ü      “Adopting Health Information Standards. The President called for the completion and adoption of standards, collaboratively developed with the private sector, that will allow medical information to be stored and shared electronically while assuring privacy and security.”

ü      “Doubling Funding to $100 Million for Demonstration Projects on Health Information Technology. To build upon the progress we have already made in the area of health care standardization, the President’s proposed FY 2005 budget includes $100 million for demonstration projects by hospitals and health care providers that will help us test the effectiveness of health information technology and establish best practices for more widespread adoption in the health care industry.”

ü      “Fostering The Adoption Of Health Information Technology. As one of the largest buyers of health care, the Federal Government can create incentives and opportunities for health care providers to use electronic records.”

ü      “Creating a New, Sub-Cabinet Level Position of National Health Information Technology Coordinator. The President will charge the National Coordinator with working with government, industry, and experts in the field to help fulfill his vision of a health care system that is patient-centered and that gives patients information they need to make clinical and economic decisions – in consultation with dedicated health care professionals.”  (“Innovation Economy Policy Book,” Executive Summary, The White House, 4/26/04)

President Bush’s Plan To Expand Health Care Access And Affordability

Last Year, President Bush Acted To Bring Millions Of Americans Help With Out-Of-Pocket Medical Expenses.  “When the President signed the Medicare reform legislation into law, Americans gained access to health savings accounts. HSAs allow individuals to buy less expensive high-deductible plans and to save pre-tax dollars for out-of-pocket medical expenses. In addition to these savings, under a new Administration proposal, individuals participating in HSAs would be allowed to deduct their premiums for the high-deductible insurance plan from their taxable income. HSAs are available to everyone who has a high-deductible plan, which is defined as having an annual deductible of at least $1,000 for individual coverage and at least $2,000 for family coverage. Individuals, their employers, or both can contribute funds up to the amount of the deductible, subject to a cap of $2,600 for individuals and $5,150 for families. The money not spent would stay in the account and earn interest tax-free. People over age 55 can contribute additional money to the account without penalty. These accounts will help more American families get the health care they need at a price they can afford.”  (“Budget Of The United States Government, Fiscal Year 2005,” Office Of Management And Budget Website, www.omb.gov, Accessed 4/16/04)

ü      Health Savings Accounts Help People Of “All Income Levels And Lifestyles.”  “Finally, a tax-advantaged health-care program that cuts across all income levels and lifestyles -- the new Health Savings Accounts. They are a real boon for people who pay for their insurance coverage.”  (Eva Rosenberg, “Health Savings Accounts Provide A Break For All,” CBS MarketWatch, 1/15/04)

President Bush Has Urged Congress To Address Rising Health Costs Through Medical Liability Reform.  “President Bush is trying to resuscitate a measure to place nationwide caps on medical malpractice awards, a move he has made a centerpiece of his election-year focus on health care. Bush argues that a nationwide ceiling would drive down soaring health care costs and save taxpayers money. … In response, the president was issuing a new appeal for the legislation …” (Scott Lindlaw, “President Pushes Effort To Limit Malpractice Awards,” The Associated Press, 1/26/04)

The President Also Proposed Refundable Tax Credits That Will Make Health Insurance More Affordable To Millions Of Low-Income Americans.  “The Administration again proposes a tax credit that will facilitate individuals’ purchase of health insurance and health care. Individuals under age 65 who are not enrolled in public or employer-sponsored health plans would be eligible. The credit would pay for 90 percent of the cost of the premium, up to a maximum of $1,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a family of four. The percentage of the credit would depend on an individual’s income level. The credit would be phased out at $30,000 for an individual and $60,000 for a family. Like the TAA tax credit, the Health Care Tax Credit is refundable and can be paid in advance directly to the health plan.”  (“Budget Of The United States Government, Fiscal Year 2005,” Office Of Management And Budget Website, www.omb.gov, Accessed 4/16/04)

Bush Administration Implemented Program To Save Consumers As Much As $3.5 Billion Each Year By Moving Low-Priced Generic Drugs To The Market Faster.  “President Bush today announced new regulations to hasten the pace at which generic drugs are brought to market, a measure the administration says will save $3.5 billion annually after it takes effect Aug. 18. … Specifically, the regulations will limit original drugmakers to one 30-month ‘stay’ blocking the entry of generic drugs by filing patent lawsuits. … The FDA also said it will make internal changes, speeding its review procedures to reduce the time it takes for generic drugs to be declared safe. With a $13 million increase in its budget for generic drugs requested by Bush, the FDA aims to reduce its generic drug application process to 17 months from 20 months.”  (Dana Milbank, “New Drug Rules Aim To Speed Generics,” The Washington Post, 6/13/03)

Under Medicare Law Signed By President Bush, Millions Of Beneficiaries Are Now Using Drug Discount Cards To Save Up To 18 Percent On Name Brand Drugs And 30-60 Percent On Generics.  “Seniors and people with disabilities can begin using their Medicare-approved drug discount cards to garner savings on prescription medicines. … As of the end of May, approximately 2.87 million Medicare beneficiaries have already enrolled in drug cards to do just that. … Analysis by CMS shows that Medicare beneficiaries can expect discounts of up to 18 percent off the average retail prices for name brand drugs and discounts of between 30 and 60 percent on generic drugs. Mail order and Internet discounts through the cards offer savings of up to 24 percent from comparable services.” (U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services, “HHS Secretary Urges Seniors To Sign Up For Discount Cards,” Press Release, 6/1/04)  

ü      Low-Income Seniors Can Receive $1,200 Credit Over The Next 18 Months That Will Offer Savings Of 30 To 70 Percent On Their Prescription Expenses.  “On top of the discounts, low-income beneficiaries can qualify for a $600 credit this year to help pay for their prescription medicines and another $600 in 2005. Any money from the credit not spent this year will carry over into 2005. For millions of low-income beneficiaries, these savings translate to 30 to 70 percent or more reductions in their drug costs.”  (U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services, “HHS Secretary Urges Seniors To Sign Up For Discount Cards,” Press Release, 6/1/04)  

President Bush Also Has Plan To Curb Rising Health Care Costs By Enabling Small Businesses To Form Purchasing Pools To Negotiate Lower Health Insurance Costs For Their Workers.  (“President Bush’s FY 2005 Budget,” Fact Sheet, The White House, 2/2/04)

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[sgtbono2002]

Kerry's ideas are mostly BS , but the liberals eat it.

[JennysCool]

[CSM]

Socialism is their friend.

[Constitution Day]

ROFL!