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Bill Richardson Offers Health Care Plan
NewsMax.com Wires Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson on
Tuesday called for universal health care, offering a plan that would expand
preventive coverage to help offset a package costing more than $100 billion.
The New Mexico governor said he could provide coverage to the 45 million
uninsured without raising taxes. Instead, Richardson said preventive care
would save the nation billions of dollars and additional money could be
diverted from spending on the Iraq war.
"Universal health care is not only a moral imperative, it is also an
economic imperative," said Richardson.
Building on the existing health care system, Richardson's plan would lower
the age at which Medicare provides coverage to 55, expand health services
for the low income and give tax breaks to businesses and individuals who pay
for their health coverage.
"My plan does not build a new bureaucracy. The last thing we need between
patients and doctors is another sticky web of red tape," Richardson said in
a written statement. He planned to unveil the plan at a campaign event in
Iowa.
Richardson estimated that his health care plan would cost between $104
billion to $110 billion a year.
Features of Richardson's health care plan include:
Lowering the eligibility age for Medicare, which provides health coverage
for the elderly, to 55. He would also expand government health programs for
the poor and for children. Young people could stay on their parent's
insurance plan until they turn 25, under his proposal.
Giving veterans a card allowing them to get health benefits at the facility
of their choice.
Requiring that insurance companies not deny coverage due to pre-existing
conditions, and mandating that they spend at least 85 percent of their
premiums on health services.
Increasing the use of technology to increase the efficiency of the health
care system.
Enacting new incentives for preventative health care programs.
Allowing government health programs to negotiate with pharmaceutical
companies to get the best price on prescription drugs. His plan also would
expand the use of generic drugs.
Approving new tax breaks for individuals and businesses that pay for their
own coverage.
Richardson's plan comes after some of his leading Democratic rivals have
already detailed their proposals to provide universal coverage.
John Edwards would require all Americans to have health care coverage and
all employers to provide it. Illinois Sen. Barack Obama does not have the
individual mandate, but like Edwards, he would help those who can't afford
health coverage pay for it. Both Edwards and Obama said they would largely
pay for their plans by ending President Bush's tax cuts on the wealthy.
Edwards said his plan would cost $90 billion to $120 billion annually. The
Obama campaign estimated the senator's plan would cost between $50 billion
and $65 billion a year.
Hillary Rodham Clinton also has said she will have a universal health care
plan, but has yet to explain how it would work.
Bill Richardson Offers Health Care Plan
NewsMax.com Wires Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson on
Tuesday called for universal health care, offering a plan that would expand
preventive coverage to help offset a package costing more than $100 billion.
The New Mexico governor said he could provide coverage to the 45 million
uninsured without raising taxes. Instead, Richardson said preventive care
would save the nation billions of dollars and additional money could be
diverted from spending on the Iraq war.
"Universal health care is not only a moral imperative, it is also an
economic imperative," said Richardson.
Building on the existing health care system, Richardson's plan would lower
the age at which Medicare provides coverage to 55, expand health services
for the low income and give tax breaks to businesses and individuals who pay
for their health coverage.
"My plan does not build a new bureaucracy. The last thing we need between
patients and doctors is another sticky web of red tape," Richardson said in
a written statement. He planned to unveil the plan at a campaign event in
Iowa.
Richardson estimated that his health care plan would cost between $104
billion to $110 billion a year.
Features of Richardson's health care plan include:
Lowering the eligibility age for Medicare, which provides health coverage
for the elderly, to 55. He would also expand government health programs for
the poor and for children. Young people could stay on their parent's
insurance plan until they turn 25, under his proposal.
Giving veterans a card allowing them to get health benefits at the facility
of their choice.
Requiring that insurance companies not deny coverage due to pre-existing
conditions, and mandating that they spend at least 85 percent of their
premiums on health services.
Increasing the use of technology to increase the efficiency of the health
care system.
Enacting new incentives for preventative health care programs.
Allowing government health programs to negotiate with pharmaceutical
companies to get the best price on prescription drugs. His plan also would
expand the use of generic drugs.
Approving new tax breaks for individuals and businesses that pay for their
own coverage.
Richardson's plan comes after some of his leading Democratic rivals have
already detailed their proposals to provide universal coverage.
John Edwards would require all Americans to have health care coverage and
all employers to provide it. Illinois Sen. Barack Obama does not have the
individual mandate, but like Edwards, he would help those who can't afford
health coverage pay for it. Both Edwards and Obama said they would largely
pay for their plans by ending President Bush's tax cuts on the wealthy.
Edwards said his plan would cost $90 billion to $120 billion annually. The
Obama campaign estimated the senator's plan would cost between $50 billion
and $65 billion a year.
Hillary Rodham Clinton also has said she will have a universal health care
plan, but has yet to explain how it would work.
