Title: "Cuban Woman"(Health Coverage For Latinos And Children Has Improved Under Bush)

Noticias.info ^ | lun 04 Oct 2004 | Noticias

[fight_truth_decay]

Rhetoric

WOMAN: “How long will they be playing with our minds? The problem of Cuba must be resolved by us Cubans.”

CHYRON: Gladys Exiliada en el ano 1964.

The Facts

Kerry Has Long Voted Against Stronger Cuba Sanctions

Kerry Voted Against Cuba Sanctions At Least Four Times. (H.R. 927, CQ Vote #22: Adopted 74-22: R 47-4; D 27-18, 3/5/96, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 955, CQ Vote #183: Rejected 38-61: R 5-49; D 32-12, 7/17/97, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1234, CQ Vote #189: Motion Agreed To 55-43: R 43-10; D 12-33, 6/30/99, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2549, CQ Vote #137: Motion Agreed To 59-41: R 52-3; D 7-38, 6/20/00, Kerry Voted Nay)

Kerry Said He Voted For Helms-Burton, But He Actually Voted Against The Conference Report. "Kerry volunteered: 'And I voted for the Helms-Burton legislation to be tough on companies that deal with him.' There is only one problem: Kerry voted against it." (Peter Wallsten, "Kerry's Cuba Stances Open To Attack," The Miami Herald, 3/14/04)

Kerry Said “Florida Politics” Is Reason For Sanctions

In 2000, Kerry Said Florida Politics Is The Only Reason Cuba Sanctions Are Still In Place. "Senator John F. Kerry, the Massachusetts Democrat and member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said in an interview that a reevaluation of relations with Cuba was 'way overdue.' 'We have a frozen, stalemated, counterproductive policy that is not in humanitarian interests nor in our larger credibility interest in the region,' Kerry said. … 'It speaks volumes about the problems in the current American electoral process. … The only reason we don't reevaluate the policy is the politics of Florida.'" (John Donnelly, "Policy Review Likely On Cuba," The Boston Globe, 4/9/00)

In 1999, Kerry Wrote A Letter That He Was "Skeptical" That The Embargo Was Achieving Intended Objectives. (Senator John Kerry, Letter To Plantados Hasta La Libertad Y La Democracia En Cuba, 9/7/99)

ü Kerry Believed "Our Entire Policy Towards Cuba Needs To Be Reviewed." (Senator John Kerry, Letter To Plantados Hasta La Libertad Y La Democracia En Cuba, 9/7/99)

Now Kerry Can’t Make Up His Mind

Kerry Panders To Cuban Vote, Saying He Would Not Lift Embargo Against Cuba. TIM RUSSERT: "Would you consider lifting sanctions, lifting the embargo against Cuba?" KERRY: "Not unilaterally, not now, no." (NBC's "Meet The Press," 8/31/03)

However, Kerry Has Since Repeated His Support For Easing Travel Restrictions To Cuba. "John Kerry reiterated his support Wednesday for easing travel restrictions to Cuba, a stance that puts him sharply at odds with President Bush -- who is expected today to embrace calls for even more controls." (Lesley Clark, "Kerry Backs Embargo And Easing Cuba Travel," The Miami Herald, 5/6/04)

President Bush Has Worked To Hasten End Of Cuban Dictatorship

President Bush Is Pursuing A Robust Strategy To Hasten The Day That Cuba Will Be A Free Country.

PRESIDENT BUSH: "This strategy is a strategy that encourages the spending of money to help organizations to protect dissidents and to promote human rights. It is a strategy that encourages a clear voice of the truth being spoken to the Cuban people through radio and TV Marti. It is a strategy that will prevent the regime from exploiting hard currency of tourists and of remittances to Cubans to prop up their repressive regime. It is a strategy that says we're not waiting for the day of Cuban freedom, we are working for the day of freedom in Cuba." (Remarks By The President After Meeting With The Commission For Assistance To A Free Cuba, 5/6/04)

President Bush Created Commission For Assistance To Free Cuba. “He states that it is a strategy that says we’re not waiting for the day of Cuban freedom; we are working for the day of freedom in Cuba.” (George W. Bush Website, “President Bush And John Kerry On The Issues Important To Hispanics,” http://www.georgewbush.com/Hispanics/Comparison.aspx?area=2,” Accessed 10/2/04)

The President Has Directed That Up To $59 Million Over The Next 2 Years Be Committed To Implementing Key Commission Recommendations Including:

ü Up to $36 million to carry out democracy-building activities, support for the family members of the political opposition, and to support efforts to help youth, women, and Afro-Cubans take their rightful place in the pro-democracy movement;

ü Up to $18 million for regular airborne broadcasts to Cuba and the purchase of a dedicated airborne platform for the transmission of Radio and Television Mart into Cuba; and

ü Provide $5 million for public diplomacy efforts to disseminate information abroad about U.S. foreign policy, including Castro's record of abusing human rights, harboring terrorists, committing espionage against other countries, fomenting subversion of democratically-elected governments in Latin America, and other actions which pose a threat to United States national interests. (White House Fact Sheet, “Fact Sheet: Report of the Commission For Assistance To A Free Cuba,” 5/6/04)

»»»»

Rhetoric

WOMAN: “In the meantime, what have the Republicans done to solve the problems that we have here? The Democrats have concrete plans to help us, like access to good health insurance, cheaper medicine, and Medicare. There’s no doubt that with Democrats we will have a better life.”

CHYRON: Unete al Movimiento Democrata. Pagado Por El New Democratic Network

The Facts

Health Coverage For Latinos And Children Has Improved Under President Bush And Republican Leadership

Percentage Of Latinos With Health Coverage Has Increased During President Bush’s Term, And Was Higher In 2003 Than In Any Year From 1994-2001. In 2003, 67.3% of Latinos were covered, compared to 67.1% in 2000. The percentage of Latinos with coverage was higher in 2003 than at any time from 1994 to 2001; for example, 66.3% of Latinos were covered in 1994, and 66.4% were covered in 1996. (Carmen DeNavas-Walt, Bernadette D. Proctor, and Robert J. Mills, “Income, Poverty, And Health Insurance Coverage In The United States: 2003,” Table C-1, U.S. Census Bureau, 8/04)

Percentage Of Children Who Lack Health Insurance Is At Lowest Level Since Official Statistics Have Been Recorded. 11.4 percent of children in this country lack health insurance coverage, down from a peak of 15.4 percent in 1998 under the Clinton Administration. (“Income, Poverty, And Health Insurance Coverage In The United States: 2003,” U.S. Census Bureau, 8/04)

President Bush Will Launch $1 Billion, Nationwide Campaign To Cover Every Low-Income Child. “The President will launch a nationwide, billion dollar Cover the Kids campaign to sign up more children for quality health care coverage. The Cover the Kids campaign will combine the resources of the Federal Government, states, and community organizations, including faith-based organizations, with the goal of covering all SCHIP-eligible children within the next two years.” (Bush-Cheney ‘04 Website, “Agenda For America,” www.georgewbush.com/Agenda, Accessed 9/11/04)

Health Savings Accounts Created By President Bush And Congressional Republicans Are Expanding Affordable Health Coverage

President Bush Created Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) To Help Families Save Tax-Free For Medical Needs. (The White House, “Expanding Access And Increasing The Affordability Of Health Insurance Through Health Savings Accounts,” Fact Sheet, 8/9/04)

ü 43% Of Those Purchasing HSAs Were Previously Uninsured, According To Assurant. (HSA Insider, “The Number One Solution The Uninsured Choose,” Press Release, 8/26/04)

ü 70% Of People Purchasing HSA-Eligible Health Insurance Plans Are Paying $100 Or Less For Their Health Care Coverage Each Month. (Laura Trueman, “Health Savings Accounts: Myth Vs. Fact,” Brief Analysis No. 479, National Center For Policy Analysis, 7/19/04)

ü “Nearly Half (46 Percent) Of HSA Purchasers Have Family Incomes Of Less Than $50,000, According To eHealthInsurance.” (Laura Trueman, “Health Savings Accounts: Myth Vs. Fact,” Brief Analysis No. 479, National Center For Policy Analysis, 7/19/04)

ü HSAs Will Expand Health Insurance To Over 4 Million More Americans. “Earlier HSA Coalition estimates of the number of uninsured that will become insured under President Bush’s proposals range between 3.6 million and 4.3 million, however, these recently announced proposals will spike these estimates much higher.” (HSA Insider, “The HSA Coalition Hails President Bush’s New Health Savings Account Initiatives,” Press Release, 9/8/04)

President Bush And Republicans In Congress Have Acted To Reduce Prescription Drug Costs

President Bush And Congressional Republicans Enacted Medicare Law Giving Seniors Drug Discount Cards That Save Up To 18 Percent On Name Brand Drugs And 30-60 Percent On Generics. (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 Total Credit That Will Offer Savings Of 30 To 70 Percent On Their Prescription Expenses. (U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services, “HHS Secretary Urges Seniors To Sign Up For Discount Cards,” Press Release, 6/1/04)

Available To All Medicare Beneficiaries In 2006, New Prescription Drug Benefit Will Cover About 50 Percent Of Costs For Seniors Who Currently Have No Drug Coverage. “Medicare beneficiaries who wish to receive the prescription drug benefit can choose to enroll either in a Medicare health plan or prescription drug plan with a monthly premium of around $35. The drug coverage will be available to enrollees who choose the traditional, fee-for-service Medicare plan as well as any Medicare Advantage program. All beneficiaries, regardless of their income, will receive significant help with their drug bills and protection from high drug costs under the new Medicare prescription drug plans. … On average, the new benefit will cover about half of beneficiaries’ prescription drug costs for those currently without coverage.” (U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services, “HHS Proposes New Rules To Deliver Better Benefits And Savings On Drugs For Medicare Beneficiaries,” Press Release, 7/26/04)

ü Will Cover Approximately 95 Percent Of Drug Costs For Low-Income Seniors. (U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services, “HHS Proposes New Rules To Deliver Better Benefits And Savings On Drugs For Medicare Beneficiaries,” Press Release, 7/26/04)

John Kerry’s Plan Takes Control Away From Patients And Doctors, Will Not Lower Health Care Costs

Two-Thirds Of Newly Insured Individuals Will Be In Government-Run Health Care Programs. Kerry’s plan would insure 27.3 million additional people. Of these, about 18.5 million people would gain coverage under Kerry’s expansion of the Medicaid and SCHIP programs. (Joseph Antos, Roland King, Donald Muse, Tom Wildsmith And Judy Xanthopoulos, “Analyzing The Kerry And Bush Health Proposals: Estimates Of Cost And Impact,” American Enterprise Institute, 9/13/04)

ü “Fewer Choices Of Doctors, Longer Waits For Care, And Inevitable Health-Care Rationing” Will Affect Those Pushed Into Medicaid Under Kerry Plan. “Quality of care will suffer under the Kerry proposal. People who go from employer plans to Medicaid will have fewer choices of doctors, longer waits for care, and inevitable health-care rationing.” (John C. Goodman, Op-Ed, “Kerrycare,” The Wall Street Journal, 8/26/04)

Kerry’s Plan Will Result In Loss Of Private Health Care Coverage. “Kerry’s (i.e., Thorpe’s) estimates assume a 30 percent crowd-out. That is, for every 10 new Medicaid enrollees, three people lose private coverage. As a result, in order to insure 18 million new people (on net) through Medicaid expansion, Kerry would enroll about 26 million to make up for 8 million who lose private coverage. Kerry’s assumptions are much too optimistic, however. The evidence we have seen suggests the crowd-out rate will almost certainly be much higher, perhaps approaching 100 percent.” (John C. Goodman And Devon M. Herrick, “The Case Against John Kerry’s Health Plan,” National Center For Policy Analysis, 9/10/04)

According To Non-Partisan American Enterprise Institute (AEI), Kerry’s Health Care Plan Would Cost $1.5 Trillion Over Ten Years. (Joseph Antos, Roland King, Donald Muse, Tom Wildsmith And Judy Xanthopoulos, “Analyzing The Kerry And Bush Health Proposals: Estimates Of Cost And Impact,” American Enterprise Institute, 9/13/04)

ü Kerry Will Shift Costs To Taxpayers Without Lowering Overall Health Care Costs. “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)

Kerry 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)

ü Medical Liability Reform Could Save Between $60 Billion And $108 Billion In Health Care Costs Annually, Making Health Insurance More Affordable For Millions. “The [medical malpractice] litigation system also imposes large indirect costs on the health care system. Defensive medicine that is caused by unlimited and unpredictable liability awards not only increases patients’ risk but it also adds costs. The leading study estimates that limiting unreasonable awards for non-economic damages could reduce health care costs by 5-9% without adversely affecting quality of care. This would save $60-108 billion in health care costs each year. These savings would lower the cost of health insurance and permit an additional 2.4-4.3 million Americans to obtain insurance.” (“Confronting The New Health Care Crisis: Improving Health Care Quality And Lowering Costs By Fixing Our Medical Liability System,” U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services, 7/25/02)

Kerry Opposes Health Savings Accounts; Twice Voted Against Last Year’s Bill Establishing HSAs. (John Kerry For President, “Kerry Campaign Statement On New Families USA Report,” Press Release, 6/16/04; 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 Opposes Letting Small Businesses Form Purchasing Pools To Get Discount Rates On Health Insurance. “The so-called association health plans ‘will place consumers at risk, as they are exempt from state patient protections and oversight,’ said Democratic Sen. John Kerry, an opponent of the measure who is campaigning for president.” (Libby Quaid, “Backers Of Small Business Plan Point To Uninsured Numbers,” The Associated Press, 9/30/03)

Kerry And The Democrats’ Proposals Will Not Reduce Cost Of Prescription Drugs

According To Nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, Government Negotiation Of Drug Prices Would Not Reduce Costs; Under New Medicare Law, Private Plans Will Negotiate “Substantial Savings.” (Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Director, Congressional Budget Office, Letter To Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, 1/23/04)

Nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office Also Concluded That Importation From Canada “Would Produce Negligible Reduction” In Prescription Drug Spending. (Colin Baker, Anna Cook, and Margaret Nowak, “Would Prescription Drug Importation Reduce U.S. Drug Spending?” Issue Brief, Congressional Budget Office, 4/29/04)

Kerry Skipped 36 Of 38 Votes On Medicare Bill, Said He Will Repeal Prescription Drug Benefit

Kerry Missed 36 Of 38 Votes On Medicare Bill, Including Final Passage Of Senate Version And Conference Report. (H.R.1, CQ Vote #459: Prescription Drug Benefit - Conference Report, Passed 54-44: R 42-9; D 11-35; I 1-0, 11/25/03; S.1, CQ Vote #262: Prescription Drug Benefit - Passage, Passed 76-21: R 40-10; D 35-11; I 1-0, 6/27/03; S.1, CQ Vote #261: Prescription Drug Benefit - Means Test, Rejected 38-59: R 3-47; D 35-11; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #260: Prescription Drug Benefit - Alternative Plan, Rejected 21-75: R 20-29; D 1-45; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #259: Prescription Drug Benefit - Retiree Fallback Plan, Rejected 42-54: R 0-49; D 42-4; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #258: Prescription Drug Benefit - Medigap Policies, Rejected 43-55: R 1-50; D 42-4; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #257: Prescription Drug Benefit - Medicaid Coverage, Rejected 47-51: R 5-46; D 42-4; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #256: Prescription Drug Benefit - Immigrant Coverage, Rejected 33-65: R 32-19; D 1-45; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #255: Prescription Drug Benefit - Experimental Drug Coverage, Adopted 71-26: R 50-0; D 20-26; I 1-0, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #254: Prescription Drug Benefit - Premium Reduction, Rejected 39-59: R 0-51; D 39-7; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #253: Prescription Drug Benefit - Additional Disease Treatment, Agreed To 57-41: R 51-0; D 5-41; I 1-0, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #252: Prescription Drug Benefit - Alzheimer’s Subsidy, Adopted 98-0: R 51-0; D 46-0; I 1-0, 6/26/03; CQ Vote #251: Prescription Drug Benefit - Asset Test, Adopted 69-29: R 22-29; D 46-0; I 1-0, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #250: Prescription Drug Benefit - Cancer Patient Coverage, Agreed To 54-44: R 51-0; D 3-43; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #249: Prescription Drug Benefit - Cancer Care, Adopted 97-1: R 50-1; D 46-0; I 1-0, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #248: Prescription Drug Benefit - Drug Advertisements, Rejected 39-59: R 0-51; D 39-7; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #247: Prescription Drug Benefit - Disability Services, Agreed To 50-48: R 48-3; D 2-44; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #246: Prescription Drug Benefit - Cost-Effectiveness Studies, Rejected 43-52: R 0-48; D 43-3; I 0-1, 6/25/03; S.1, CQ Vote #245: Prescription Drug Benefit - Durbin Substitute, Rejected 39-56: R 0-48; D 39-7; I 0-1, 6/25/03; S.1, CQ Vote #244: Prescription Drug Benefit - Premium Reduction, Rejected 39-56: R 0-49; D 39-6; I 0-1, 6/25/03; S.1, CQ Vote #243: Prescription Drug Benefit - Drug Advertisements, Rejected 26-69: R 0-49; D 26-19; I 0-1, 6/25/03; S.1, CQ Vote #242: Prescription Drug Benefit - Health Centers, Adopted 94-1: R 48-1; D 45-0; I 1-0, 6/25/03; S.1, CQ Vote #241: Prescription Drug Benefit - Employer Compensation, Rejected 41-55: R 0-50; D 41-4; I 0-1, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #240: Prescription Drug Benefit - Drug Cost Coverage, Rejected 41-54: R 0-49; D 41-4; I 0-1, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #239: Prescription Drug Benefit - Benefit Availability, Rejected 41-54: R 1-48; D 40-5; I 0-1, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #238: Prescription Drug Benefit - Two-Year Fallback Plan, Agreed To 51-45: R 48-2; D 2-43; I 1-0, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #237: Prescription Drug Benefit - Congressional Coverage, Adopted 93-3: R 50-0; D 42-3; I 1-0, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #236: Prescription Drug Benefit - Cost Sharing Extension, Agreed To 54-42: R 50-0; D 3-42; I 1-0, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #235: Prescription Drug Benefit - Canadian Price Equity, Agreed To 66-31: R 51-0; D 14-31; I 1-0, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #234: Prescription Drug Benefit - Open Enrollment Period, Agreed To 55-42: R 51-0; D 3-42; I 1-0, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #233: Prescription Drug Benefit - Third-Party Coverage, Agreed To 52-43: R 49-0; D 3-42; I 0-1, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #232: Prescription Drug Benefit - Drug Importation, Adopted 62-28: R 21-25; D 40-3; I 1-06/20/03; S.1, CQ Vote #230: Prescription Drug Benefit - Drug Patents, Adopted 94-1: R 50-1; D 43-0; I 1-0, 6/19/03; S.1, CQ Vote #229: Prescription Drug Benefit - Premium Cap, Rejected 39-56: R 0-51; D 39-4; I 0-1, 6/19/03; S.1, CQ Vote #228: Prescription Drug Benefit - Drug Cost Disclosure, Adopted 95-0: R 51-0; D 43-0; I 1-0, 6/19/03; S.1, CQ Vote #227: Prescription Drug Benefit - Benefit Within Medicare, Rejected 37-58: R 0-51; D 37-6; I 0-1, 6/18/03; 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; 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)

ü Kerry Was One Of Only Two Senators To Miss Final Vote On Conference Report. Kerry chose to hit campaign trail instead because he felt that voting “was not going to make a difference.” (Sam Hananel, “Kerry, Lieberman Skip Final Medicare Vote To Return To Campaign Trail,” The Associated Press, 11/25/03)

Kerry Said, “If I’m President We’re Going To Repeal That Phony [Prescription Drug] Bill.” (Sen. John Kerry, “Ending The Era Of Special Interests,” Remarks In Nashua, NH, 1/21/04)

[fight_truth_decay]

Some good info I thought I would pass on.

[John Will]

Yo quiero una cervesa.
-John Kerry.

[Cacique]

Thanx, we'll use it.

FREEPER (PARodrig) PAUL RODRIGUEZ FOR CONGRESS