Clark Promotes HeathCare Plan

[maddezmom]

Clark Promotes Health Care Plan

Saturday, General Wes Clark promoted his health care plan in Arizona. He told voters in Tucson and Phoenix that his plan would provide health insurance for more than 30 million Americans currently without coverage, including 750,000 people in the Grand Canyon State.

"In just the past three years, an additional 3.8 million Americans have been added to the ranks of the uninsured," Clark said. "Health care costs continue to increase by double digits, and hospitals like Kino Community have borne the brunt of this."

Clark outlined his strategy to turn those startling statistics around using the three main pillars of his health care plan: value, affordability and coverage.

Clark's initiative provides access to affordable insurance for every single American, and it provides coverage for every single American child up to the age of 22.


more @ http://www.clark04.com/story/55/

[in_cog_ni_to]

1. I like his approach

to the "preventative medicine". He's correct. The sooner something is diagnosed, the sooner it can be treated and cured. In the long run...less expensive.

<snip>
"We need a president who's a leader -- not a politician," Clark said, "someone who believes we should always put America's interests over the special interests, someone who's going to be accountable for his actions." <snip>

Hear! Hear! President Clark! :bounce: Nice picture on that page...of course! I don't think I've ever seen a bad picture of that man. :7

Thanks for the post! He's just incredible.

[maddezmom]

2. kick for the am crowd

think it got lost last night. :)

[mouse7]

3. People on Medicare on Social Security Disabilty left out

You notice how he was so specific about his plan relating to seniors on Medicare. There's a reason for that. He saves money by continuing to leave out drug coverage to those under 65 who are on Medicare. Disabled people are generally not terribly effective at lobbying on their own behalf because they are too busy being sick.

Easy to save a lot of money on health insurance by keeping sick people off your insurance plan.

[maddezmom]

4. here is the rest of the press release....

His plan promotes prevention and early diagnosis by ensuring that all Americans have access to services that catch diseases early -- improving health, and constraining long-term costs.

The program also gives extra support to our most vulnerable citizens. It provides assistance to low-income families and workers in between jobs, and expands health care options for America's reservists and veterans.

"Being able to see a doctor doesn't mean much if you can't afford to fill the prescription she writes," Clark said.

Clark's prescription drug plan provides a comprehensive, meaningful, affordable prescription drug benefit under Medicare. The benefit covers every single senior, without forcing them to join HMO's or pay costly premiums.

"We need a president who's a leader -- not a politician," Clark said, "someone who believes we should always put America's interests over the special interests, someone who's going to be accountable for his actions."

[mouse7]

5. Right... Those on SSDI are not seniors

People recieving Medicare under Social Security Disability under medicare are not seniors. They are under 65. There have been many facets of medicare that have been available only to seniors in the past, not the disabled. Clark's plan clearly follows that pattern.

[maddezmom]

6. and this is on his website

~snip~

Make Health Care Work


Protect Medicaid. I oppose turning Medicaid into a block grant to states. Medicaid provides important health care and independence for millions of children and disabled adults with disabilities.

Repair the damage done by the Bush administration's prescription drug plan. I will fix the new Medicare law to protect people with disabilities. The new law favors people in good health over people with disabilities and the private sector over the public trust. Millions of people with disabilities stand to lose access to medications.

Advocate for the Family Opportunity Act. Parents with children who require complex medical care should not have to turn down better paying jobs to protect Medicaid coverage which is essential for paying for the health care needs of their children. The health and education of children needs to be our top national priority, and this legislation will provide relief to families of children with severe disabilities.

~snip~

more- http://clark04.com/issues/disabilities/

[mouse7]

7. Nope. Take a look.

From clark's site linked above...

"Repair the damage done by the Bush administration's prescription drug plan. I will fix the new Medicare law to protect people with disabilities. The new law favors people in good health over people with disabilities and the private sector over the public trust. Millions of people with disabilities stand to lose access to medications."

People on Social Security Disability have Medicare right now. Medicare has no prescription drug coverage at all right now. The millions he's discussion that lose access to medications are those who have various combinations of other insurance plans. The poorest people on Social Security Disability that are forced to depend on Medicare only still get no prescription drug coverage.

[maddezmom]

8. thought he did address it

but I guess he didn't address the SSD issue.

hope he'll address this soon hole in his plan. Maybe another Clark supporter has more info. that I'm not aware of at this time.

[mouse7]

9. I call Clark's offices Monday and get an answer

Who knows, it's possible it's an oversight. I'll find out and post the answer.

[Monte Carlo]

12. One step at a time, please.

Universal health care in this country is not going to come all at once. It is going to come through gradual steps, and the first step Clark is describing above is a good one, and I think you should appreciate it more.

[bhunt70]

10. kick for people who may want to know more about his domestic policies.

...

[Myra]

13. Policy kick

eom

[Lydia Leftcoast]

11. Tax credits--whoopee (NOT)

As a self-employed person, I already get tax credits for my health insurance. While it's nice at tax time, it does NOTHING to ease the burden of monthly premiums and deductibles.