Thursday, September 16, 2004
Bush's health care failure
LATEST MEDIA CORPS ASSIGNMENT:
George Bush's failed health care policies have taken our country in the wrong direction. Since Bush took office, families are paying a record 64 percent more on health insurance premiums. Deductibles have increased by nearly two-thirds and prescription drug co-pays have increased by more than 50 percent.
Write letters to the editors of your local and state newspapers telling your community that Bush's record of failure on health care speaks for itself. When you write, please emphasize how important it is to you that Americans have access to affordable health care. Think about your own experiences - Do you worry about the cost of a doctor's visit or prescription drugs? Do you and your family have health insurance?
Looking for the emails of newspapers? Check out the list at OhioTalkingPoints.com or use Congress.org.
Once you've written a letter, post it on the Big Board. Click the "New Thread" button
Writing points on health care are below. Please pick only 1-2 points to use in your letter.
New evidence of Bush's record of failure on health care:
NATIONAL HEALTH CARE FACTS
OHIO HEALTH CARE FACTS
GEORGE BUSH’S PLAN FALLS FLAT
Links to additional points:
OhioTalkingPoints.com
Center for American Progress -- Health care and seniors
Ohio for Kerry/Edwards -- Ohio's health insurance crisis
Kerry campaign rebuttal of latest Bush ad attacking Kerry on Medicare vote
Issues page from Kerry campaign, includes links to more talking points/headlines
Ohio fact sheet on Medicare -- .pdf file)
George Bush's failed health care policies have taken our country in the wrong direction. Since Bush took office, families are paying a record 64 percent more on health insurance premiums. Deductibles have increased by nearly two-thirds and prescription drug co-pays have increased by more than 50 percent.
Write letters to the editors of your local and state newspapers telling your community that Bush's record of failure on health care speaks for itself. When you write, please emphasize how important it is to you that Americans have access to affordable health care. Think about your own experiences - Do you worry about the cost of a doctor's visit or prescription drugs? Do you and your family have health insurance?
Looking for the emails of newspapers? Check out the list at OhioTalkingPoints.com or use Congress.org.
Once you've written a letter, post it on the Big Board. Click the "New Thread" button
Writing points on health care are below. Please pick only 1-2 points to use in your letter.
New evidence of Bush's record of failure on health care:
NATIONAL HEALTH CARE FACTS
- Since 2000, family health care premiums have increased by $3,412 - a 64 percent increase.
- Premiums increased nearly five times faster than worker's earnings this year.
- Deductibles have increased by nearly two-thirds and prescription drug co-pays have increased by more than 50 percent.
- Forty-one percent of firms say they are likely to increase premium costs for their employees in the next two years.
OHIO HEALTH CARE FACTS
- $2,704 Estimated Total Family Premium Increase. In Ohio, the total family premium for health insurance has increased by $2,704 to $9,300. [2000 MEPS Data from the Agency for Healthcare Quality Research projected forward using KFF National Premium Increase]
- Health Care Premiums Increased Four Times Faster than Workers’ Earnings Last Year. Health care premiums increased by 13.9% last year while workers’ earnings increased by only 3.1%. This is the fifth year in a row that premiums outpaced earnings. [Kaiser Family Foundation, “Trends and Indicators in the Changing Health Care Marketplace, 2004 Update”]
- The Average Annual Health Care Premium Increase More than Doubled Under Bush. From 2000 to 2003, the rate of health care premium increase more than doubled. From 1998-2000 the rate of increase was 5.3% and from 2000-2003 that rate was 12.7%. [Kaiser Family Foundation, “Trends and Indicators in the Changing Health Care Marketplace, 2004 Update”]
- 96,000 Ohioans have lost their health insurance coverage. Since 2000, 96,000 people in Ohio have lost their health insurance coverage. [US Census, Current Population Survey, 2000, 2002]
- 1,344,000 Ohioans do not have health insurance. There are 1,344,000 people in Ohio who do not have health insurance. [US Census, Current Population Survey, 2002]
- 239,000 Children Do Not Have Health Insurance Coverage. There are 239,000 children in Ohio that do not have health insurance coverage. [US Census, Children With Health Insurance: 2001, August, 2003]
GEORGE BUSH’S PLAN FALLS FLAT
- Only 73,008 More Insured Under Bush Plan. According to George Bush’s plan, only 73,008 more people will be covered in Ohio. [Kenneth Thorpe, “Proposals for Covering the Uninsured and Reducing Health Care Costs from President Bush and Senator Kerry,” 5/5/04]
- $1,000 Reduction in Health Care Costs. Under John Kerry’s health care plan, families will save up to 10% or $1,000 in health care costs.
- 812,210 More People Will Be Covered Under Kerry’s Plan. By implementing John Kerry’s health care plan, 812,210 more people in Ohio will be provided health insurance coverage.
- 227,050 More Children Will Be Covered Under Kerry’s Plan. By implementing John Kerry’s health care plan, 227,050 more children in Ohio will be provided health insurance coverage.
Links to additional points:
OhioTalkingPoints.com
Center for American Progress -- Health care and seniors
Ohio for Kerry/Edwards -- Ohio's health insurance crisis
Kerry campaign rebuttal of latest Bush ad attacking Kerry on Medicare vote
Issues page from Kerry campaign, includes links to more talking points/headlines
Ohio fact sheet on Medicare -- .pdf file)
