John Kerry's Position on Health Care

This was in response of a person's questions about Senator Kerry's position on Health Care. It's not pretty, but should be exhaustive. If somebody wants to clean it up and summarize, you're invited to do so. - WebMaster

From http://johnkerry.com/issues/healthcare/

Affordable Health Care for Every American John Kerry believes that your family’s health is just as important as any politician’s in Washington. That’s why he will give every American access to the health care plan that the President and Members of Congress already have. John Kerry has the courage to take on special interests to get health care costs under control. He will stand up to big insurance and drug companies that impede progress. And John Kerry’s health care plan takes care of our most vulnerable citizens by covering every child and preserving and strengthening Medicare. George Bush has chosen to lavish tax cuts upon the wealthiest among us while working Americans struggle to afford health care for their families. John Kerry will take a different path. The American health care system has the world's best doctors and nurses, the finest hospitals and the most effective drugs. But far too many Americans can’t afford or access the system. John Kerry’s health care plan will start by expanding health care coverage to 96 percent of Americans – including nearly all children. Kerry is also committed to assuring high quality health care by including a strong enforceable patients’ bill of rights and reducing medical errors.

Affordable Health Care for All Americans Remarks by John Kerry at Mercy Medical December 14, 2003

"Seven months ago, I unveiled my health care plan at Mercy Medical in Des Moines. On that day, I vowed to fight for the day when affordable health care is a right, not a privilege, for every American. I vowed to fight for the 40 million uninsured Americans who have no coverage -- including the nearly quarter of a million who live right here in Iowa. I vowed to fight for senior citizens forced to choose between their meals and their medicine."

Kerry's Plan to Lower Prescription Drug Prices for Seniors

President George Bush has promised to give seniors more choices for affordable prescription drugs, but he broke that promise by signing legislation that rewarded industry profits rather than Americans seniors. At an event with Illinois Governor Blagojevich, John Kerry highlights his plan to lower prescription drug prices for America’s seniors.

Four-Point Plan to Strengthen Medicare

John Kerry today outlined a four-step plan to restore Medicare and provide real prescription drug relief for all Americans. In his first 100 days as President, Kerry will propose a bill that keeps Medicare strong, instead of privatizing it, and allows seniors to choose their doctor, instead of forcing them into HMOs.

Three-Point Plan to Keep Every Kid Safe, Healthy and Ready to Learn

John Kerry outlined a three-point plan today to make kids safer and healthier and assure they enter school ready to learn. His plan includes a new Kids Safety Effort requiring safety labels for food allergens and mandatory testing of prescription drugs used for treating children; setting comprehensive standards for early childhood education; and providing health insurance for every child in America.

Plan to Respond to the International and Domestic AIDS Crisis

As the author of the most comprehensive HIV/AIDS bill ever to pass the Senate and a proven fighter to expand funding for US bilateral and global AIDS programs, John Kerry understands that the HIV/AIDS epidemic has implications for the life and death of millions of men, women and children across the globe as well as for global security.

Priorities
Give Every American Access to the Same Plan As Members of Congress
Nine million Federal employees get health care through the Federal Employees Health Care Benefits program (FEHBP), which offers a wide range of plans with good benefits. The Kerry plan will allow every American access to this system. With tax-based incentives to employers and tax credits to individuals and the self-employed, the Kerry plan will ensure that this coverage is affordable. The most vulnerable groups, including the unemployed and retirees below age 65, will be covered. To hold down premiums, the federal government will reimburse companies for 75 percent of catastrophic claims totaling more than $50,000, provided they pass the savings on to their policyholders.

Guaranteed Health Care for Every Child
Studies show that kids without health insurance are less likely to get checkups or treatment for ear infections or asthma. Kids without health care also have a harder time learning in school. In a new compact with the states, the Federal government will pick up the cost of Medicaid coverage for children in exchange for automatic enrollment of all school children eligible for the Children's Health Insurance Program. Eligibility for coverage will be extended to 300 percent of poverty-level incomes for children, and coverage will be extended to the six million single and childless adults who are uninsured and live below the poverty line. Independent experts estimate that the Kerry plan will cover 99 percent of America’s children.

Support Medical Research and Assure All Americans from Benefit from the More Effective Treatment
New science and medical research has the power to improve and even save many lives. However, it is not a guarantee that Americans will benefit from groundbreaking improvements. George Bush has tried to undermine this research for political reasons. Moreover, we have an erratic health care system that prevents many Americans from getting the best care available. John Kerry has a three-pronged strategy to make sure advances in science and medical research are benefiting American families: (1) Assure we are not undermining the power of science and technology to find new treatments and prevention for our most devastating diseases; (2) Improve our health care system to assure our providers and patients use and get the most effective care; (3) Make sure protections are in place so there are no barriers that prevent patients from receiving care.

Make Health Care More Affordable
For Small Businesses
Health care costs are rising about 15 percent this year for small businesses and often as high as 25 percent. Small businesses are much less likely to offer health care coverage because it tends to be more expensive for them. Small businesses have administrative costs and they often see premiums rise when one employee has high health care costs. By joining the new Congressional Health Plan under Kerry’s plan small businesses will be able to provide more affordable coverage. Kerry is also proposing refundable tax credits up to 50 percent of coverage to small businesses and their employees to help subsidize the cost of health insurance.

For Workers In Between Jobs

There are approximately 8 million unemployed people in the United States today. John Kerry believes that when you lose your job you shouldn't lose your health care. That is why he is proposing a 75 percent tax credit to assure workers can keep their health insurance between jobs.

For Retirees and Americans Age 55 to 64

Retirees and Americans age 55 to 64 have the hardest time buying coverage. Gaps in our patchwork system of health care are most noticeable for those Americans that risk losing their health care before they turn 65 and are eligible for Medicare. This less healthy population is often priced out of affordable coverage. Kerry’s plan will allow these Americans to buy into the Congressional health plan at an affordable price and give a tax credit to make it even more affordable.

Protecting Medicare
John Kerry will never balance the budget on the backs of America’s seniors. Other candidates have supported major cuts that cause premium increases and cutbacks in benefits. John Kerry won’t. Kerry will fight for quality care in all parts of the country – rural and urban. Kerry will make sure that seniors get quality care no matter where you live. John Kerry will implement a real prescription drug benefit in Medicare and he will never force seniors into HMOs.

A New Approach to Control Spiraling Health Care Costs
Workers cannot afford health insurance premiums that are rising ten times as fast as wages. John Kerry has a comprehensive plan to stop spiraling health care costs, including providing relief for the highest cost cases. In 2001, only 4/10 of one percent of private insurance claims were for individuals with health expenses in excess of $50,000. However, these claims accounted for nearly 20 percent of medical expenses for private insurers. Under Kerry’s proposal companies and insurers that guarantee a pass-through of the savings to their workers through reduced premiums, would be reimbursed for 75 percent of catastrophic costs above $50,000. To be eligible for this relief, employers would have to: provide affordable health coverage to all their workers; demonstrate they will pass through savings of up to $1000 to workers; and encourage disease management to improve and hold down the cost of care.
Lowering Costs with New Technology

The annual cost of health care in America is $1.4 trillion. About 25 percent, or $350 billion, is spent on non-medical items, principally paperwork such as billing and record-keeping. No other industry is so inefficient. This expensive drain on the system can be cut in half with modern technology. Kerry's program will offer a "technology bonus" as an incentive to health care providers and insurers to update their procedures and switch to electronic records.

Affordable Prescription Drugs for All
John Kerry supports adding a strong affordable prescription drug benefit to Medicare. However, he believes that the prescription drug benefit should not rely on HMOs or undermine retiree coverage that exists today. In addition, the Kerry plan will reduce drug costs for everyone by: using the federal government's purchasing power to induce giant drug wholesalers to pass along to consumers the rebates they get from the drug manufacturers; getting more affordable generic drugs to the market, giving states the flexibility to negotiate better deals, and allowing people to buy quality drugs through Canada.

Assuring Fairness for People with Mental Health Needs
Despite recent breakthroughs in science and new effective drugs and better community health services, mental illness continues to be treated differently from physical illness. John Kerry will take on insurers and end discrimination by requiring full mental health parity for once and for all. Kerry also wants to strengthen the Medicaid program that helps many people with mental illnesses. He will: fight against the Bush plan to block grant Medicaid; support $25 billion in state relief that would help Medicaid; and fight to change skewed incentives that keep people from working and getting Medicaid at the same time, which makes it harder to get community-based care.
Too many people don’t seek treatment for mental illnesses either because they are afraid to or they don’t care. We must continue to reduce stigma and raise awareness about mental illnesses. Kerry also believes mental health care should be a critical part of our response to terrorism. Finally we need judges and lawmakers who are committed to strengthening key protections, like the Americans with Disabilities Act, privacy protections, and other key civil rights laws – and not turn the clock backwards, like this President wants to do.

Making Malpractice Insurance More Affordable
Medical malpractice insurance has become so expensive in some states that physicians are moving or giving up their practices, cutting access to care for their patients. The Kerry plan will hold down malpractice premiums by requiring an impartial review of a claim before an individual could file suit and by eliminating punitive damages except in egregious cases. Kerry's plan will not put a cap on legitimate damage awards.

A Strong Enforceable Patients' Bill of Rights
Some candidates don’t believe that the patients’ bill of rights matters and that we should just focus on expanding coverage to the uninsured. John Kerry disagrees. He believes that health insurance must be worth something when you need it and he believes that doctors, nurses and patients should make health care decisions, not HMO bureaucrats. That’s why he will fight for a strong enforceable patients’ bill of rights to assure patients get access to the specialists they need, can choose their own doctor, have access to a real appeals process, and can hold HMOs accountable when they make mistakes that hurt the patients.

Protect the Right to Choose
John Kerry believes that women have the right to control their own bodies, their own lives, and their own destinies. He believes that the Constitution protects their right to choose and to make their own decisions in consultation with their doctor, their conscience, and their God. He will defend this right as President. He recently announced he will support only pro-choice judges to the Supreme Court. Kerry also believes that we should promote family planning and health plans should assure women contraceptive coverage.

Protecting Women’s Health
John Kerry has worked to ensure women receive access to health care, and he has focused particular attention on breast cancer research and funding. Kerry was an original cosponsor of the Women's Health Equity Act, which ensures women of all ages receive information and access to the highest quality and most advanced health care. He has worked to require health plans to cover hospital stays for breast cancer treatment and to preserve and increase funding for breast and cervical cancer research.
Kerry supports requiring insurance plans to cover contraception and he will continue to fight for a meaningful Patient's Bill of Rights, which would ensure women direct access to their OB/GYNs.

Affordable Health Care for All Americans
Remarks by John Kerry at Mercy Medical

December 14, 2003

Cedar Rapids, IA -

As Prepared for Delivery:

I'd like to thank the staff of Mercy Medical for inviting me here today. And I'd like to thank the nurses and other folks who just sat down with me to share their health care concerns and their health care hopes. Your words inspire me to keep fighting.

Seven months ago, I unveiled my health care plan at Mercy Medical in Des Moines. On that day, I vowed to fight for the day when affordable health care is a right, not a privilege, for every American. I vowed to fight for the 40 million uninsured Americans who have no coverage -- including the nearly quarter of a million who live right here in Iowa. I vowed to fight for senior citizens forced to choose between their meals and their medicine. And I vowed to fight harder than any other candidate in this race for the millions and millions of Americans with and without health insurance who fear opening their medical bills. Americans who cannot afford their health care are the unheard majority in this debate. They're not silent, they've just been ignored. No more. I will be the President who makes their voices heard.

Since making that first vow, I have spent months traveling across Iowa and all over America trying to do just that. I've met with folks in homes and diners, listening to them on farms and the factory floor.

I met Myrtle Walck in Council Bluffs. Myrtle's worked all her life, but at 82-years-old she's not finished giving to her country. Myrtle volunteers at a local school each week, teaching kids how to read. And what has her country given her? A $400 monthly Social Security check that just barely covers her two daily prescriptions. I believe Myrtle Walck deserves someone on her side fighting for her.

I met Bob Anderson in Waterloo. Bob's a part of this so-called "jobless recovery" President Bush now brags about-he was laid off about ten months ago from Iowa Concrete. Now Bob's wife was just diagnosed with a chronic illness and their health insurance has run out. I believe Bob Anderson deserves someone on his side fighting for him.

And I met Virginia Noble in Des Moines. Virginia owns a sandwich shop right near my headquarters called Beggar's Banquet. Virginia wants to provide her 11 employees with health insurance, but with prices skyrocketing and premiums rising every day, she just can't afford it no matter how much she tries. I believe Virginia Noble deserves someone on her side fighting for her.

Everywhere I've been I've listened to the fears and the hopes of these people and countless others. They're all asking for world class health care at a price they can afford. And that's not too much to ask for. That's why I'm back at another Mercy Medical half a year later to let you know that this cause has never been more urgent and I have never been more determined on this issue. You all deserve to have someone on your side fighting for you-and with your help, this will be the last campaign where Democrats just talk about health care. This will be item number one I will submit to Congress. And we will get it done.

George Bush promised us action on health care when he ran for President. But every year he's been in office, your premiums have risen by double digits. Every year he's been in office, another million Americans have lost their health insurance. And this President hasn't lifted a finger to help. Who's he been fighting for instead? The big insurance companies and HMOs that line his campaign coffers-the same ones that have caused so much of the hurt in the first place. This President has given America a raw deal on health care and everyone in this room knows it. I'm going to roll back George Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy special interests so that we can pay for health care that Americans can afford.

In my first 100 days as President, I'll offer America a real deal on health care that starts with cutting costs and stopping skyrocketing premiums. Make no mistake, no one in this race will fight harder than I will to cover the uninsured and get to universal coverage. But there is more to the health care problem in America than covering the uninsured. The major reason Americans don't have coverage is they can't afford it. And it's not enough to get everyone covered if the whole country is still staggering under the weight of our medical bills.

Parents shouldn't have to worry about their checkbooks when their children need a check-up. I ask you to examine my health care plan. If you'd like to see it in full detail, you can get it at www.johnkerry.com. And when you examine it, I guarantee you you'll find it the most far-reaching plan to control costs and make health care affordable for all Americans.

The average health care cost per person in Iowa is about $4,000. Under my plan, you'll see real savings of up to $1,000 on that bill. That's $1,000 that can help buy groceries, pay the bills, and give your family a break.

Here's how we'll do it. Right now, only four out of every one thousand insurance claims deal with health care costs over $50,000. Insurance companies, however, end up spending a fifth of their expenses paying for these very few cases. If they're spending that much, you can bet everyone else's premiums are going to go up. Under my plan the government will pick up most of the tab for these expensive cases - and the premiums for middle-class families will go down.

We'll also cut the fraud and waste out of the health care system. It would be one thing if every dime of that $4,000 was being spent on making Americans healthier. It's not. A quarter of the money Americans spend on health care goes to non-medical costs like paying bills and handling paperwork. If we can have banks that use computers and technology to cut down transaction costs to just a penny, we can surely have a health care system that does the same. Our money should be going to health care, not filling out forms.

It's also time to give Americans a real prescription drug benefit under Medicare. Right here in Iowa, the price of prescription drugs has risen by over 10% in one year! Not surprisingly, the big drug companies just spent $139 million lobbying Congress so that they could get a Medicare reform bill. And guess what? They got $139 billion back in special interest giveaways. That's 1000% return on their investment. In this White House, you certainly get what you pay for-and more.

Iowa seniors can't afford prescription drugs as it is. The average Iowan has to buy 12 prescriptions a year-and now they're being stuck with a plan that leaves millions worse off by raising prices up to $200 more a month. Right here in Iowa, this bill means that 28,350 Iowans will lose their retiree health benefits, and 57,200 will pay more for prescription drugs. These aren't just numbers-they are our parents and our grandparents-the people who need care the most.

This bill is such a sham that the AARP had to resort to hiring actors for their TV ads. Real seniors know better, and real seniors are getting the shaft.

When I'm President, we'll make sure drug companies come clean about the money they spend influencing doctors and others. We'll close the loopholes that prevent more affordable prescriptions from making it to your pharmacy. We'll make sure that those without drug coverage aren't left out in the cold. And we'll be able to provide seniors with the real prescription drug coverage under Medicare that they've been waiting for too long. And I'll have a simple message for the drug company lobbyists and HMO executives whose campaign contributions buy them special favors from this White House: "Don't let the door hit you on your way out."

You know, this issue has become very personal to me. In the last two years, I've seen the health care system up close, its ups and its downs, inside and out. I've lost both my parents and just one year ago, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I stand before you 100% cured now, but I was lucky. As a U.S. Senator, I could get the best health care in the world. Most people aren't so lucky, and we need to change that. That's why my plan gives every American access to the same kind of health care that members of Congress give themselves. We will cover 96% of all Americans, and 99% of our children. Because your family's health care is just as important as any politicians' in Washington.

And we should not just improve American's health care, we need to improve American's health. America needs a President who will lead us to a new era of scientific and medical breakthroughs, who will help break down the barriers to discovery so that Americans can live longer, happier, and healthier lives. I will provide the resources and the funding our scientists need to make great strides in research and discover tomorrow's breakthroughs, and we will make sure that cutting edge medical advances benefit everyone, not just the few. Because you deserve the best health care America has to offer.

My friends, we cannot make health care affordable by tiptoeing around the edges - we need big ideas, bold leadership, and the courage to take on the special interests who will try to stop us.

But we do need a realistic plan. A plan that will work. And above all a president who is committed to this cause, who will bring the key players together, keep this issue in the national spotlight. A president who will never give in until we give America the change it needs so that - at long last - health care that is available and affordable - a right and not a privilege - for every American.

I will not add bureaucracy - I will slash it. I will not impair research and medical advancement - I will advance it. I will not stick Americans into a one-size-fits-all program - I will give them more options and more choices. But I will make sure every working American has health care they can afford. And together, we can bring the day where all Americans have access to the care they need and the health care they deserve.

Almost 100 years ago, Mercy Hospital was built as a small house on 3rd Ave and 6th St. It had room for only 15 beds, and it wasn't opened by powerful interests looking to turn a quick buck. It began when the Sisters of Mercy saw a need in Cedar Rapids and kept a vow that was part of their life-"to care for the poor and the sick."

It is time that caring for the sick becomes a vow that America keeps for real. This is what I promised at the beginning of this campaign-and I ask you to join me in this fight every day until we win. Let's get it done together. Thank you.

Kerry's Plan to Lower Prescription Drug Prices for Seniors
Bush’s Broken Promises on Prescription Drugs

President George Bush has promised to give seniors more choices for affordable prescription drugs, but he broke that promise by signing legislation that rewarded industry profits rather than Americans seniors. At an event with Illinois Governor Blagojevich, John Kerry highlights his plan to lower prescription drug prices for America’s seniors.

On Capitol Hill, FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan reiterated the Bush Administration’s opposition to allowing seniors to buy more affordable prescription drugs from Canada. John Kerry has a different approach: he believes that we should allow patients to reimport more affordable safe prescriptions that will save Americans 33 to 80 percent on prescription drugs. However, the Bush Administration is more interested in industry profits than how much Americans have to pay for drugs. Kerry will take on special interests and close loopholes that the drug industry uses to keep prescription drug prices higher.

BROKEN PROMISES ON MEDICARE: THE BUSH BOONDOGGLE TO PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES

GEORGE BUSH: CHOOSING PHARMACEUTICAL PROFITS OVER SENIORS

FALSE PROMISES ON MEDICARE: George W. Bush said he wanted to give seniors more choice and make medications more affordable. However, the legislation he signed will force some seniors into HMOs and explicitly prohibits Medicare from negotiating better prices.

RAISE DRUG COMPANY PROFITS: The Bush Medicare reform explicitly does not allow Medicare to negotiate better prices for prescription drugs, or allow seniors to buy prescriptions from Canada.

GIVEAWAYS TO HMOS: The Bush reform bill gave $12 billion to HMOs and another $6 billion to wealthy taxpayers. His plan also forces seniors into HMOs.

TAKE AWAY DRUG COVERAGE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE IT: Experts believe that the Medicare reform bill will cause more than two million employees to lose retiree-based prescription drug coverage. It also takes away low-income protections from some beneficiaries and prevents seniors from buying Medigap plans to help cover prescription drug costs.

FORCE SENIORS INTO HMOS: Under the Republican reform bill, a senior could be forced in an HMO because they cannot afford the excessive premiums charged by the private plan monopoly.

JOHN KERRY: CHOOSING SENIORS OVER PHARMACEUTICAL PROFITS.

John Kerry will fight to allow Medicare to negotiate better prescription prices for seniors and will fight to pass reimportation so seniors can get safe quality affordable prescriptions. Kerry will strengthen drug coverage for those who have it – not make it worse. He will also make sure seniors can choose their doctors and aren’t forced to join an HMO.

RE-IMPORTING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS: A recent study found that prescription drug prices in Canada were 33 percent to 80 percent cheaper than in the United States. The prescription drug industry charges Americans the highest prices for prescription drugs in the world, while reaping record breaking profits. George W. Bush is looking out for the profits of the prescription drug industry – and Bush’s prescription drug benefit prohibits Americans from importing drugs. John Kerry will:

Allow Re-importation to Give Americans Access to Cheaper Drugs: Drug re-importation refers to the practice of importing back to the United States prescription drugs that were originally manufactured in the US and exported for sale in another country. Most often, Americans re-import drugs for personal use by filling their prescriptions in Canadian or Mexican pharmacies, either in person, or through mail-order or Internet pharmacies. John Kerry will allow individuals, pharmacists, wholesalers and distributors to reimport FDA-approved prescription drugs from other countries at lower prices.

Call on Bush Administration to Help States Start Re-importation Today: Governors such as Rod Blagojevich are working to make re-importation available despite the obstacles the Bush Administration is raising. In fact, Illinois estimates the state would save about $91 million through reimportation. John Kerry is calling on George Bush to immediately approve state pilot programs to help individuals and states re-import quality drugs. Bush should also direct his FDA Commissioner to provide guidance to states to help assure they set up a safe process – including a state-sanctioned website, a call number, and helping define necessary safety precautions.

GET RID OF SPECIAL INTEREST PROVISIONS SO MEDICARE CAN NEGOTIATE MORE AFFORDABLE PRESCRIPTION PRICES. Seniors often pay higher drug prices because they do not have leverage to negotiate more affordable drugs. George Bush’s Medicare bill expressly prohibits the government from negotiating for lower drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries. The only possible explanation for prohibiting Medicare to negotiate for better prices is that this is a special interest provision that increases pharmaceutical industry profits. Kerry will ensure that under his Administration the government can negotiate lower prescription drug prices for America’s seniors. He will:

Change the Law so that Medicare Can Negotiate Better Prices. John Kerry believes that seniors should not pay the highest prices just so that pharmaceutical companies can have higher profits. He will change the Medicare law to assure that the Federal government can negotiate better prices for prescription drugs.

Direct HHS Secretary to Assure Medicare Gets Real Discounts in Every Part of the Country. Medicaid gets a set discount of about 20 percent and the Veterans program negotiates discounts of about 40 percent discounts on prescription drugs. Kerry will direct his Secretary of Health and Human Services to make sure that seniors across the country are getting at least the 20 percent discount and Medicare is not paying more for prescriptions than the private sector in any region of the country.

HELP STATES NEGOTIATE REAL DISCOUNTS ON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS: Americans without drug coverage pay at least 50 percent more for the exact same medication as their insured neighbors because they do not get the benefits of bulk purchasing. Some states have tried to extend the same discount Medicaid gets for its beneficiaries to other populations. However, the Bush Administration has joined the pharmaceutical industry to fight these efforts. As President, John Kerry would help states provide discounts to other populations. Kerry would also give states incentives to implement more efficient contracting to obtain better rates for prescription drugs.

DISCLOSE EXCESSIVE PROFITS OF PHARMACY MIDDLEMAN: Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) process hundreds of millions of pharmaceutical claims per year and manage drug benefits for more than 200 million Americans. In addition to the discounts they get from bulk buying, drug manufacturers typically pay these pharmacy middlemen billions of dollars in extra fees. For example, drug companies pay extra dollars to make sure their drug gets on all the right formularies; financial rebates to assure they get a higher market share; and even more extra dollars for assembling data to help drug companies exploit consumers. While these pharmacy middlemen get huge profits, they don’t pass them along to make drugs cheaper. John Kerry’s plan would require pharmacy middlemen that do business with the Federal government to clearly show what extra dollars that are receiving from the industry.

Four-Step Plan to Restore Medicare

John Kerry's four-step plan will help restore Medicare and provide real prescription drug relief for all Americans. In his first 100 days as President, Kerry will propose a bill that keeps Medicare strong, instead of privatizing it, and allows seniors to choose their doctor, instead of forcing them into HMOs. If you want to see a prime example of Republican’s working for powerful interests, just look at this latest Medicare bill. This bill is less about prescription drug benefits and more a prescription to benefit big drug companies,” said John Kerry. “Say what you want about President Bush, it’s clear his powerful campaign contributors get what they pay for. But we’re getting left with the tab. The AARP pays actors to play seniors in TV commercials. But real-life seniors are getting left out in the cold.”

Four Steps
1) Lower Prescription Drug Costs: Don't Raise Drug Company Profits -
John Kerry will change that so Americans can get lower-priced medications.

2) Give Choices to Seniors - Not Giveaways to HMOs:
Kerry will make sure seniors can choose their doctors and aren’t forced to join an HMO.

3) Expand Prescription Coverage: Don't Take it Away for Those Who Have It -
Kerry will strengthen drug coverage for those who have it – not make it worse.

4) Assure Seniors Have Real Medicare Drug Plan: Not Forced into HMOs -

John Kerry Unveils Three-Point Plan to Keep Every Kid Safe, Healthy and Ready to Learn
Calls for Safety Labels for Food Allergens, Comprehensive Standards for Early Childhood Education, and Health Care Coverage for Every Child

December 10, 2003

For Immediate Release Manchester, NH

At a childcare center in Manchester, John Kerry outlined a three-point plan today to make kids safer and healthier and assure they enter school ready to learn. His plan includes a new Kids Safety Effort requiring safety labels for food allergens and mandatory testing of prescription drugs used for treating children; setting comprehensive standards for early childhood education; and providing health insurance for every child in America.

In my first one hundred days as president, I will set the nation on course to achieve unprecedented levels of quality education, child care, and health care for America’s children. America should be committed to expanding opportunities for learning enhancing early childhood development and my Administration will lead the way,” said John Kerry. “My comprehensive plan to provide for America’s children is an example of the kind of leadership America is craving for from its president. It provides real solutions to the problems are families are facing every day and it is a real plan to leave no child behind.” John Kerry proposed a New “Kids Safety Effort” at the Food and Drug Administration that would require testing for prescriptions used for children and require any food containing a major allergen to be labeled clearly and consistently. This effort also would:
· Encourage States to Require Booster Seats for Children. John Kerry will work with states to require the use of booster seats, which prevents the injurious effects caused by children wearing adult belts.
· Address the Childhood Obesity Epidemic. John Kerry will launch a program to train health professionals and school administrators and parents to educate them about preventing and treating obesity and encouraging physical activity.
· Keeping the Environment Clean and Safe for Our Children. Kerry will get rid of the rollbacks of the Clean Air Act. He also believes polluters, not taxpayers, should have to pay to clean up our nation’s most toxic sites, reducing the exposure in nearby communities.

John Kerry’s plan provide the states and communities with funding to implement the high quality standards found in the military’s child care system and that will improve workforce quality, including: uniform standards to improve quality, workforce education and training and compensation to reward high quality providers and improving quality and safety by requiring criminal background checks.

Parents shouldn’t be forced to send their children to unlicensed child care providers because the waiting lists are too long everywhere else. That’s why I’ll create an ‘Excellence in Early Care and Education’ fund that will make sure your children will receive quality care from highly-trained professionals. With your help, I’ll be a President who will make childcare a priority, and early childhood education a national way of life,” said Kerry.

John Kerry believes that we have a moral obligation to cover America’s children. His plan would assure that nearly 99 percent of all children have health care coverage. Kerry’s plan would include:

· A New Deal to Provide Health Coverage to Every Child. Kerry's plan would assure that the Federal government picks up the cost of the nearly 20 million kids enrolled in Medicaid in exchange for states covering kids in the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
· Making Sure All Children Are Eligible. Kerry’s swap plan would require states to cover children in families making up to $60,000; eliminate the current 5-year waiting period for eligibility for legal immigrant pregnant women and children; and enable children with disabilities to keep their health care coverage when their parents return to work.
· Assuring Automatic Enrollment. The Kerry plan would assure every child gets health care coverage by automatic enrolling kids when they come to school with a simple form. Since the Federal government would be picking up the costs for these kids, this would not undermine states' fiscal situation.

John Kerry's Plan to Keep Every Kid Safe and Ready to Learn
Today, at a child care center in Manchester, John Kerry outlined a plan to make kids safer and healthier and assure they enter school ready to learn. Children cannot be ready to learn and meet their potential in the new economy if they do not start off healthy and strong. He unveiled new initiatives to improve kids’ safety and improve the quality of early care, and highlighted his plan to provide insurance to every single child in America.
Priorities
I. "Kids' Safety Effort"
A) A New ‘Kids' Safety Effort’ at the Food and Drug Administration

Requiring Testing for Prescriptions Used for Children. Only 20 percent of prescription medications on the market has been tested and approved for use in children. It is unclear how most drugs will affect children, and the size and frequency of doses that will serve their health best is often unknown. While there have been efforts to address this issue, laws on the books have expired. John Kerry would make pediatric labeling a high priority and assure parents have the information they need about the prescriptions their children take.

Labeling on Food Allergens. Between six and seven million Americans, many of whom are children, have serious food allergies. Many kids have had serious reactions or died after consuming specific food allergens, like peanuts. Yet the presence of specific and serious allergens is often not indicated clearly or at all on most major food labels. John Kerry would require any food containing a major allergen to be labeled clearly and consistently. He would also call on the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate allergen residue contamination and provide further research on allergens.

Encourage States to Require Booster Seats for Children. Automobile accidents are the leading cause of death for children. Each day, seven children are killed and 850 are injured in crashes. Statistics show that the use of child safety seats can reduce the mortality rate for infants by 71%. Only eighteen states currently have laws requiring the use of booster seats, which make adult seat belts fit a child properly. John Kerry will work with states to require the use of booster seats, which prevents the injurious effects caused by children wearing adult belts.

B) Address the Childhood Obesity Epidemic. Fifteen percent of children between the ages of 6 and 11 are overweight, an increase of 382 percent in the last 30 years. Nearly half of all the foods advertised during children's programming are cakes and candies. The average American child sees 10,000 food advertisements each year. Ninety-five percent are for fast-food, sugary cereals, soft drinks, and candy. John Kerry will launch a program to train health professionals and school administrators and parents to educate them about preventing and treating obesity and encouraging physical activity.

C) Keeping the Environment Clean and Safe for Our Children. John Kerry believes that all children have the right to clean air, clean water, safe food, and healthy communities, as they are the most vulnerable to air pollution. In New Hampshire, asthma accounts for one third of all pediatric emergency room visits and is a leading cause of school absences. Kerry will get rid of the rollbacks of the Clean Air Act. He also believes polluters, not taxpayers, should have to pay to clean up our nation’s most toxic sites, reducing the exposure in nearby communities.

II. Quality Care So Children Start School Ready to Learn

High-quality early care and education programs are critical to success in school, the ability to have good relationships, and healthy development. Sixty-four percent of children in New Hampshire under the age of six are cared for by someone other than their parent, but unfortunately, care often costs more than many parents can afford and sometimes provides lower-quality services than they want for their children. John Kerry has fought for increases in Head Start, child care and early education and will continue to do so as President. He will also launch a major initiative to increase the quality of child care.

Implementing Lessons Learned from the Military. Thirteen years ago, the United State’s military’s child care system was in such terrible shape that Congress was forced to mandate improvements. The problems that the military faced were similar to the country’s child care system today: poor quality care; a lack of standards on key issues such as staff-teacher ratio; high staff turnover due to low salaries and poor working conditions; long waiting lists for available slots, and unaffordable parent fees. John Kerry will provide the states and communities with funding to implement the high quality standards found in the military’s child care system and that will improve workforce quality, including:

Comprehensive, Uniform Standards to Improve Quality. Today, in New Hampshire a caregiver can care for as many as twelve four-year olds at one time. Kerry will fund states and communities to implement high-quality standards such as those found in the military child care system health and safety, staff/child ratios, staff education and training, and developmentally appropriate curriculum. Quality care will be enforced through inspections and well-publicized sanctions.

Workforce Education and Training and Compensation to Reward High Quality Providers. The child care workforce needs more education and training, better compensation, and lower turnover rates that undermine the quality of care. A child care worker in New Hampshire makes $17,240 on average. Thirty states do not require teachers in child care centers to have child development training, even though education is a key quality indicator. Kerry will fund states to provide salary bonuses to caregivers, to help pay for high quality training, and for those who make a commitment to stay with the program for a period of time.

Improving Quality and Safety by Requiring Criminal Background Checks. Parents should have the peace of mind to know that the workers they entrust their children with are highly-qualified and do not have a criminal record.

III. Every Child Should Have Health Insurance

Children without insurance are:

more than four times as likely to delay medical care

more than twice as likely to go without needed prescription medications

more than twice as likely to go without eyeglasses

and more likely to fall behind in school.

John Kerry believes that we have a moral obligation to cover America’s children. His plan would assure that nearly 99 percent of all children have health care coverage.

A New Deal to Provide Health Coverage to Every Child. Kerry's plan would assure that the Federal government picks up the cost of the nearly 20 million kids enrolled in Medicaid in exchange for states covering kids in the Children’s Health Insurance Program. This would be a financial win for states facing serious deficits.

Making Sure All Children Are Eligible. Kerry’s swap plan would require states to cover children in families making up to $60,000; eliminate the current 5-year waiting period for eligibility for legal immigrant pregnant women and children; and enable children with disabilities to keep their health care coverage when their parents return to work. All families will understand that their children -- whether they have disabilities, are legal immigrants, or are moving off welfare -- are automatically eligible for health care.

Assuring Automatic Enrollment. Millions of children who are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP today are not signed up. Often parents don’t know about the programs or it is too hard to enroll. The Kerry plan would assure every child gets health care coverage by automatic enrolling kids when they come to school with a simple form. Since the Federal government would be picking up the costs for these kids, this would not undermine states' fiscal situation.

Plan to Respond to the International AIDS Crisis

Will Invest In Combating the AIDS Epidemic Around the World

Domestic Plan

Global AIDS Plan

Support and Provide Necessary Resources to The Global Fund.

Initiate Comprehensive, Integrated 5-year U.S. Government Strategy to Combat Global AIDS. John Kerry will initiative a comprehensive strategy to combat global AIDS that will include specific goals, multi-sectoral approaches, and strategies for treatment and prevention, with particular emphasis on women, young people, and children including those orphaned by AIDS. It will maximize U.S. capabilities in the areas of technical assistance and training and research, including vaccine research. It will reduce programmatic duplication, increase coordination among U.S. government agencies, and decrease the amount of time it takes to get U.S. assistance to those on the front lines of the epidemic. The Kerry strategy will focus not only on countries in the throes of the HIV/AIDS epidemic but new countries where the epidemic is ramping up – countries such as India, China, and Russia.

Provide Increased Resources for the Global Fund and Bilateral Programs to Meet the $30 billion Target in 2008. The success of the Global Fund is critical to international efforts to wage and win the war against AIDS, TB and malaria. U.S. contributions to the Global Fund, which the Bush Administration has fought to keep at a meager $200 million per year, must go up. John Kerry will provide at least $30 billion in the fight against AIDS by 2008. Other donors must also do more, and Kerry will push other donor governments, wealthy corporations, and foundations to provide their share as well.

Ensure More People Receive Treatment. Treatment is essential to extend the lives of the millions living with HIV/AIDS around the world and to strengthen prevention programs that can stem the tide of new infections. Kerry will work to meet the World Health Organization’s goal of putting at least three million people on treatment by 2005, seven million by 2007, and move toward universal treatment by 2012. Increasing access to treatment through bilateral U.S. government programs and through contributions to multilateral efforts like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria will be a key component of the Kerry plan.

U.S. Leadership in the Battle Against HIV/AIDS

Increase Resources for Tuberculosis and Malaria Programs. Tuberculosis is a leading killer of people living with HIV/ AIDS and malaria leaves many individuals, particularly children, weakened and vulnerable. Kerry will increase resources for U.S. programs to combat tuberculosis and malaria in order to develop vaccines and better treatments and to support treatment and prevention programs. TB screening and treatment, which are inexpensive and effecting strategies, should be available to all that need them. The Kerry plan will provide increased funds for programs using DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Short-course) and for the Global Tuberculosis Drug Facility, which has reduced the price and increased access to high quality TB drugs. The Kerry plan will also increase funding for malaria, particularly for new technologies such as insecticide treated beds and for anti-malarial drug and vaccine research.

Increase Diplomatic Efforts and Pressure on Countries Ignoring the AIDS Threat. Any successful campaign to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS must have the support and cooperation of national leaders in the affected countries. While many countries already devastated by the epidemic have recognized the magnitude of the problem and the need to take action against AIDS, others, especially China, Russia and India which are the next wave of the epidemic, move too slowly or not at all. Kerry will ensure that the AIDS issue is front and center on the US agenda for these countries.

Eliminate Ideological Restrictions on US Prevention Programs. Effective HIV/AIDS programs must be driven by science and what works on the ground, not by ideological considerations. Kerry believes that the U.S. Government’s global AIDS strategy must be flexible, using approaches and programs that are proven effective by science and practice. As Uganda has demonstrated, the ABC (Abstinence, Be Faithful, Use Condoms) model can be effective, but only if all three elements of the approach are used, not simply the A and the B. Kerry will ensure that bilateral U.S. programs are flexible and balanced and oppose efforts to limit funding to abstinence-only programs. Prevention, education and treatment programs for high-risk groups including individuals that are HIV-positive are also critical. An effective U.S. strategy must incorporate programs that reach out to these groups, providing them with the information and resources necessary to protect themselves and others. Kerry will push Congress to eliminate all legislative restrictions undermining the effectiveness of U.S. global AIDS programs.

Eliminate Global Gag Rule and Its Application to AIDS Funding. As a long-time opponent of the global gag rule, Kerry will seek elimination of this legislative obstacle that undermines successful family planning programs and serves as an obstacle to the funding of much-needed HIV/AIDS programs. Women, who are bearing the brunt of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, must have comprehensive services that meet their health needs, not some political need in Washington. Particularly in rural areas, where one clinic services all the health needs of the local population, denying women access to life-saving information on reproductive health and HIV prevention is simply wrong.

o Expand U.S. Efforts to Train Health Care Personnel. Under the Kerry plan, greater attention and increased resources will be dedicated to training health care professionals and community health care workers. In many countries, the lack of health care workers is slowing efforts to expand access to HIV/AIDS treatment. Programs in Haiti demonstrate that individuals from the community who are trained to recognize the symptoms of AIDS, TB, and malaria, can help support patients and administer drugs. Because there will never be enough doctors in many of the most affected countries to provide all of the care that is needed, new efforts must be initiated to train more nurses and other care givers who are not formally trained medical personnel.

o Expand Public-Private Partnerships. The private sector, with its broad range of businesses, foundations, educational institutions, faith-based and community-based organizations, plays a critical role in the campaign against HIV/AIDS. Kerry believes that public-private partnerships are essential to a successful campaign against AIDS, TB, and malaria. Global public-private partnerships are already working to develop AIDS and malaria vaccines as well as microbicides for women and to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Kerry will support and strengthen these partnerships and seek to create others to strengthen HIV prevention and treatment efforts.

Trade Policy Promoting Access to Essential Medicines

Support Access to High Quality, Low Cost Drugs. Kerry will pursue a trade policy that fully upholds the World Trade Organization’s Doha Declaration on intellectual property and public health and ensure that any trade agreements negotiated by the United States do not undermine this critical international agreement. Kerry will also work with the Global Fund, the World Health Organization and others to develop an international bulk purchasing mechanism for bulk purchasing of AIDS drugs similar to that used for TB medicines so that all those in need worldwide have access to affordable treatment. Improving access to high quality drugs at the lowest prices available is the only way to save millions of lives. Generic medication now can cost as little as 38 cents a day and bring new hope to millions of people suffering from AIDS around the world.

Deeper Debt Relief for Nations Fighting AIDS

Support Deeper Debt Cancellation. In order to help poor nations in the fight against AIDS, John Kerry supports deeper and broader debt cancellation for all impoverished nations engaged in the fight against AIDS. Kerry will direct his Secretary of the Treasury to initiate negotiations with the Paris Club of Official Creditors, the World Bank, the IMF, and others with the goal of modifying the Enhanced HIPC (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries) Initiative to provide substantially greater debt reduction to poor countries struggling with the heavy burden of HIV/AIDS. Of the 26 nations that have received some initial debt relief, at least 18 pay more in debt servicing each year than their entire national expenditures on health care. Deeper debt forgiveness will provide them with critical financial resources to develop programs to combat AIDS and build up health care systems that can respond to the demands of the millions who are in need of care.

Protecting the Most Vulnerable Victims of AIDS

Expand Efforts to Assist Children Orphaned by AIDS. One of the many tragedies of the HIV/AIDS pandemic is the ever growing number of children who lose one or both parents to AIDS. Grandparents are left to care for grandchildren or children themselves take on the responsibilities of parenting their younger siblings. Today there are some 15 million children orphaned by AIDS and millions of other children whose families have been decimated by the epidemic. By the end of the decade there will be 25 million AIDS orphans with little hope unless the leading nations of the world deliver a massive response. Under the Kerry plan, existing US government programs for orphans and children will be expanded to ensure that the full range of medical, dietary, educational, legal and counseling needs are met for these children and their families or caregivers. Community care will be emphasized as much as possible so that children without families will be raised in a family environment rather than in orphanages and other institutions.

Develop Comprehensive Programs for Women and Girls. Recognizing that women and girls are most vulnerable to HIV infection, Kerry’s plan will include comprehensive programs designed to empower women socially, economically, legally, and intellectually. Prevention and education programs to meet the special needs of women and girls, particularly in countries where they are legally and economically subservient to men, are critical and will be developed and funded under Kerry’s approach. Increased funding will also be provided for research on microbicides and other safe and effective technologies that women can use unilaterally to reduce their risk of HIV infection.

Will Invest In Combating the AIDS Epidemic at Home

International Plan

Plan to Respond to the Domestic AIDS Crisis

Increase Funding for Programs Assisting People Living with HIV/AIDS

Increase Funding for Ryan White CARE Act and HOPWA. More than half of the approximately 850,000 – 950,000 Americans living with HIV/AIDS do not have access to routine health care. John Kerry will increase funding for the Ryan White CARE Act and end the waiting lists for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). Kerry will work to provide the appropriate standard of care to thousands of Americans who find out their status through new federal testing initiatives and to meet current needs for HIV-related health and social services. He will also increase resources for the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) program.

Protect and Improve Medicaid: Medicaid is the largest financer of HIV/AIDS care in the United States and its long-term viability is critical to thousands of HIV-infected individuals. Kerry has a plan to put $50 billion into state fiscal relief in the first two years and strongly opposes the Bush effort to block grant the program. Kerry also supports allowing states the option to expand Medicaid to include HIV-positive, pre-work impaired individuals by supporting passage of the Early Treatment for HIV Act. Kerry also supports the development of federal guidelines for Medicaid providers to integrate HIV prevention services into their primary care services, including educating physicians about the importance of voluntary testing and counseling.

Expanding AIDS Research

John Kerry will increase AIDS research funding at the National Institutes of Health, CDC and other agencies. An early leader in efforts to fund the search for an AIDS vaccine, he will create incentives for public and private development of AIDS vaccines and microbicides. John Kerry supports new research towards the development of a simplified treatment regimen for AIDS and TB. He will also ensure that clinical trials reflect the unique needs of people of color living in the United States and around the world.

A Leader in the Fight Against AIDS

John Kerry cosponsored the first Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act (CARE) - which represents the largest discretionary federal investment in treating individuals with HIV and AIDS. Senator Kerry authored major elements of the Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000, which was signed into law by President Clinton in August of 2000. He subsequently authored the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2002, sweeping legislation that would have significantly increased funding for treatment of these diseases while requiring the U.S. to adopt a comprehensive five year plan to win the global war against AIDS. That legislation was passed unanimously by the Senate and was an important force in prompting the Administration to endorse global AIDS legislation this year.

Support Comprehensive Prevention and Fight Discrimination

John Kerry supports a comprehensive, science-based approach to prevention and reject discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS. He supports integrated care and prevention programs and will work to end the HIV travel and immigration ban. John Kerry will also end the federal ban on syringe exchange and harm reduction programs to prevent the spread of HIV.

Combat the Disproportionate Impact of HIV on Minority Populations: In 2001, minority populations accounted for 70 percent of all new AIDS cases in the United States. There is a critical need to understand the underlying causes of the increasing concentration of HIV cases in minority populations. We must address whether current prevention efforts and public health programs are effectively targeting the epidemic in different communities. John Kerry supports the highest level of funding for the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative (MHAI) which assists in community efforts to improve the public health infrastructure to better respond to the epidemic. John Kerry also supports the Leadership Campaign on AIDS to engage minority community leaders in the effort to combat the AIDS epidemic in their communities.