Analysis Lowers Kerry Health Care Plan Costs Considerably! Good news!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45740-2004Apr2.html

By CALVIN WOODWARD
The Associated Press
Friday, April 2, 2004; 5:06 PM

WASHINGTON - A new analysis reduces the estimated cost of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's health care plan by more than one-quarter by accounting for savings the government might achieve from a more efficient system of medical care.

<>Kerry's proposal to extend health coverage to most uninsured Americans and make premiums more affordable for others would cost $653 billion over a decade, down from nearly $900 billion, said Kenneth Thorpe, who teaches health policy at Emory University, in a study issued Friday that revises his earlier finding. The difference comes from including savings that could be achieved by better disease prevention and treatment, electronic filing of claims and other steps.

Thorpe, who was in charge of financial estimates for the health care proposals of the Clinton administration a decade ago, said in an interview that Kerry's proposal to raise taxes on the top 2 percent of taxpayers should yield more than enough money to cover the estimated $176 billion cost of the health plan in its first five years.

Overall, Thorpe estimates Kerry's proposals would extend coverage to 27 million more Americans over 10 years - two-thirds of the uninsured - through a system of insurance pools, cost caps, tax credits and subsidies for children, small business, the unemployed, older workers and more.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

to reflect the new study. Because this Administration has demonstrated that it is determined to maintain only the highest standards for truthfulness.

Kerry could put forth a prescription drug plan for medicare which would save billions. All he has to include in his plan is a stipulation that the government or a designated agency can negotiate drug prices with the drug companies.

Face it.Get guts.

Universal-one payer==like Medicare is true good for all.

It is less expensive for a nation.

Everyone can get health care. Get it.

I changed primary physicians because my doctor would send you to a specialist only if you were dying.

A good doctor. A good person.

The system is the problem.

Doctors are reimbursed by Hmos. Save us money we pay you.

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