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October 19, 2004
Point/Counterpoint: College Republicans
Health care may be the most important domestic issue facing the United States. Even the wealthy are having a hard time keeping up with health care costs. President Bush has been doing an excellent job addressing these issues without resorting to national health care, a system that, if implemented, would do more harm than good.
The first things President Bush created were Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). HSAs offer flexible, affordable insurance options for small businesses and individuals. Americans who buy low-cost, high-deductible health care plans can save tax-free money to pay for routine medical expenses, as well as save for the future.
President Bush also created the Prescription Drug Benefit plan under Medicare. In 2003, Bush passed legislation that will help make prescription-drug coverage through Medicare available to 40 million seniors and people with disabilities. Until this legislation is implemented, those affected will receive prescription discount cards. Also, low-income beneficiaries will receive $600 both this year and next to help them purchase prescription medication.
President Bush opened and expanded community health centers. These centers deliver preventive and primary care to medically undeserved communities across America. Six hundred centers have either been added or expanded since Bush’s election.
The president has also given health-insurance tax credits. These credits help workers who have lost jobs due to international trade, and allow those workers to obtain health-insurance coverage.
The best policy that President Bush has proposed, however, is the Association Health Plans (AHPs) policy. This policy allows small businesses to pool together when offering health insurance options to their employees. This works by giving smaller businesses the same buying power as large businesses.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that by 2008, 7.5 million Americans will obtain health insurance though AHPs, and an additional 600 thousand will become insured for the first time.
This is important because when small businesses do well, they are able to provide for their employees.
When small businesses look more attractive and affordable, the economy is strengthened and provides additional jobs.
What some people don’t understand is that national health care is not free. It will cost some families more through taxes than it now costs them to insure themselves. We will also lose the power to choose our doctors and how we wish to be treated. America has the best health-care system because doctors have incentives to work hard and be good at what they do. When doctors become federal employees, the profession loses its prestige. Vote Bush this November for better health care.
-Sarah Ann Wagner
Secretary, College Republicans
Posted by msveum at October 19, 2004 12:07 PM
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