Provides the Most Comprehensive Coverage of any Major Candidate

New Hampshire - This morning, General Wesley Clark released a health care plan that would not just expand coverage to over 30 million Americans, but would make coverage more affordable while improving the value of health care. In addition, the plan will control costs and expand the availability of preventative care.

General Clark's plan is geared toward assuring that middle class Americans have access to quality health care. "We can cover more than 30 million people - including every child in America - for less than the cost of repealing President Bush's tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, those making over $200,000 per year," Clark told the New Hampshire audience. Taking into account enhancements and modernization measures, the net cost of the plan would be $695 billion.

In his speech, General Clark emphasized:

• Value - Getting more bang for your health care buck. Clark's plan would use the latest ideas and technology to improve preventative care and disease management, saving money for consumers while improving health outcomes.
• Affordability - Tax credits for families making up to $90,000. Since 2000, health insurance premiums have risen by 40% or $2,700 per family. Skyrocketing premiums squeeze middle-class families and are driving up family bankruptcies. General Clark's plan would provide tax credits to make health care more affordable for middle-class families. These credits would be available for a four-person family making up to $90,000 annually.
• Coverage - Guarantee universal coverage for children and universal and more affordable access for all Americans. Since 2000, four million Americans have been added to the ranks of the uninsured. General Clark's plan would extend coverage to more than 30 million Americans, including all 13 million children and college age students who currently lack health insurance. Every American without coverage would have access to the same health plan as members of Congress. Tax credits and other measures would ensure that this would be more affordable.

Yesterday, Kenneth E. Thorpe of Emory University released an independent analysis comparing the health care plans released by the Democratic candidates. He found that General Clark's plan expands coverage to more Americans than any other plan he examined - a total of 31.8 million, as compared to 30.2 million under Governor Dean's plan and 26.7 million under Senator Kerry's plan. Clark's plan is also less expensive than either of those plans: Governor Dean's plan costs $932 billion, and Senator Kerry's plan costs $895 billion.

General Clark said, "Our nation must provide the same kind of support and access to health care for families that our army did for me and for its soldiers and that our government does for our elected officials."