8/10/04--Ongoing health care problem are often not found on the front page of your newspaper. Most revolve around three issues. 1] The new Medicare Law with drug coverage; 2]Providing medical insurance for those who don't have it, regardless of whether they are illegal aliens, or Americans who don't want it; and 3] Whether or not these add ons will require an increase in taxes?
President Bush's proposal, according to Dr.Thorpe of Emery U., would cost ten billion dollars over ten years and would cover an additional 2.5 million more Americans. Senator Kerry plans to cover close to everyone and cover the cost, 650 billion dollars over 10 years, by rescinding the Bush tax cuts for anyone with an income over $200,000 per year.[from Business Week 8/10/04]
While keeping those figures in mind, I suggest you read earlier articles on this website that report disagreement between the US Government Accounting Office, who estimate 20 million medically unisured; and the US Census Bureau who estimate 40 million.
Add to that, money provided to California, during the Clinton Administration, for a plan to provide health insurance for 2 million medically uninsured children that found only about 100,000. I read a recent report of California families with insured children and uninsured parents.
The Standard Journal in Idaho [7/23/04] reported a federal/state program designed to provide health insurance for 50 to 60 thousand uuninsured children that has enrolled less tha six thousand to date.
The bottom line should be "Who is in charge?"--- "Where do they get their information?" and "Should we get some new people in there!!!"