Health Care Plans: Kerry, Lieberman, and Edwards

Joe Lieberman's Health Care Plan:

Joe Lieberman has proposed a plan that his health care site, joecare.com, refers to as a “good bridge towards universal health insurance for children.” Lieberman focuses on quality care for low-income children, middle class families, and seniors. Key points to his plan are:

1. Better coverage and access by increasing state insurance programs to children. A family of 4 making up to 55,000 per year would be able to enroll their children. Lieberman would also start a MediKids program where all babies, regardless of income, could be automatically enrolled. A family of 4 making up to $37,000/yr could get the coverage for free and no family would pay more than 7.5% of their income. Parents would not be required to join the program. Lieberman also supports expanding school based medical centers.

2. Expand coverage by giving adults more access to Medicaid and offer MediChoice pools for workers who typically cannot obtain insurance which includes part-time workers, seasonal workers, and homemakers. MediChoice would not cost anyone more than 7.5% of their adjusted gross income. In addition Lieberman would provide tax credits to workers to help pay for their health care premiums and would guarantee no one would loose their benefits due to loosing their job.

3. Improving the care for seniors by fixing the weaknesses in the current prescription drug plan. In addition he would provide tax deductions for long-term care.

4. Lieberman agrees to require equal access to health care regardless of race and provide proven ways for doctors to better treat illnesses. He also supports a “medical home” where patients records can be kept for nationwide access. Improving mental health services and care for older Americans is also a priority for Lieberman.

Lieberman is not the only one putting kids on the top when it comes to health insurance. John Edwards' plan encompasses putting kids first also, along with subsidies to modest income earners. Click here to find out more about Edwards's plan.

The Complete 2004 Heath Care Series:
2004 Election: Universal Health Care and Your Insurance
Gephardt's Plan
Kucinich's Plan
Dean's Plan
Kerry's Plan
Lieberman's Plan
Edwards' Plan
Larouche's Plan
Clark's Plan
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