Improving our Health Care

Providing every American access to quality health care

In countless ways, the United States has the greatest health care in the world. We have the best-trained doctors, the most well-equipped, state-of-the art hospitals, and we lead the world in cutting-edge medical research. Health care is also an enormous source of jobs. The health care industry employs more than 11 million Americans, and it's one of the fastest growing sectors of our economy. America's role as a world leader in health care ought to be a source of pride for all of us. But our health care system also faces major challenges: the United States spends more on health care per capita than any other nation in the world, but we rank ninth in the world in life expectancy and an unacceptable 28th in infant mortality. Health insurance premiums have increased by 40 percent since 2000, costing typical families $2,700 more per year. Four million people have joined the ranks of the uninsured since 2000, bringing the total number of uninsured Americans to forty-four million.

President Bush has not addressed the rising premiums and the rising number of uninsured Americans. He has offered nothing but a small, ineffectual plan first proposed three years ago - a stale bill that doesn't acknowledge the extent of the problem, and which he's made little effort to move through Congress. Americans know that, despite President Bush's neglect, our health care system has tremendous potential - but we need new leadership to drive through the necessary improvements.

I strongly believe that every American should have affordable, quality health care. That's why I have proposed a plan to improve the quality of health care for all Americans, with better preventive care and a focus on improved outcomes and greater efficiency. My plan would help make health care more affordable for tens of millions of families, while providing insurance to 32 million Americans who today lack coverage, including all 13 million uninsured children and college-age adults. It also provides universal access to more affordable, more reliable, and higher quality coverage for all Americans who don't have access through their employers. My three-part vision for better and more affordable health care stresses:

• Value through prevention: More bang for the health care buck. Costs are increasing rapidly without contributing to better health outcomes. My plan focuses on getting more bang for the health care buck, helping to improve health outcomes for all Americans while restraining the growing cost of premiums. I would create incentives for both the government and private sector to employ preventive care, improve disease management, and utilize evidence-based medicine. I would promote the use of information technology to reduce medical errors, improving outcomes and reducing costs for all families. And I would make certain that coverage truly insures people from high health care costs.

• Affordability: Tax credits for families making up to $90,000. Since 2000, health insurance premiums have risen by 40 percent, amounting to $2,700 per family. Skyrocketing premiums squeeze middle-class households and trigger family bankruptcies. My plan would provide tax credits to make health insurance more affordable. These credits would be available for those feeling the squeeze most - for example, up to $40,000 in annual income for individuals, and up to $90,000 for a family of four.

• Coverage: Universal coverage for children and better access for all. Since 2000, four million Americans have been added to the ranks of the uninsured. My plan would extend health insurance to 32 million Americans, including all 13 million children and college-age students who currently lack health insurance. Every American without other means to buy insurance would have access to the same health plan as Members of Congress; tax credits and other measures would make this coverage affordable. In addition, my plan would help ensure that workers could keep their health insurance between jobs.

Please click here to read the full details of my health care plan.