Kucinich Announces Plan to Address Health Care in Delaware
The following is a press release from January 23, 2004, by the Kucinich campaign
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Kucinich Announces Plan to Address Health Care in Delaware
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2004
Democratic Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich today announced a plan to address the health care problems facing residents of Delaware.
"Due to the recent economy," Kucinich said, "more people in Delaware are jobless, and more are homeless. Companies come and go in Delaware. Premcor just bought Motiva, with no guarantees of protecting jobs or health benefits. My universal health care plan would cover every American, with or without work, with or without a home. A similar plan has been proposed by some thoughtful state legislators in Dover, but it hasn't passed. As in Washington, the insurance companies carry a lot of weight. But I am not running for insurance salesman in chief. I am running for President, and I intend to provide every American with comprehensive health care.
"The problem with health care in this country," Kucinich said, "is not a lack of money. The fact is that a substantial part of every dollar we spend goes for the activities of a for-profit system: lobbying, advertising, marketing, executives' inflated salaries, stock options, and high corporate profits.
"The total health care spending of the nation is $1.6 trillion a year. If the hundreds of billions spent for corporate for-profit activities were instead spent for health care, the 45 million Americans who are uninsured would be covered, and a fully paid prescription drug benefit for all Americans would be made possible.
"We're spending enough money to provide every single American with comprehensive health care, but much of that money is wasted by for-profit insurance companies. Their executives get handsome stock options and bonuses. Meanwhile the lack of health coverage jeopardizes the lives of tens of thousands of Americans every year.
"I am the only Democratic candidate for President who has a detailed plan to replace the current for-profit system with national health coverage, eliminating for-profit health insurance.
"Under this system, called Enhanced Medicare for All, patients and doctors will be in control. Health care will be privately provided but publicly paid for. You'll choose your own doctors but not take home a bill, not have to worry about a co-payment, not pay any premiums, and not lose your coverage when you lose your job.
"Employees in Delaware are watching their paychecks give way to the increasing cost of healthcare. UAW 1183 is watching the issue closely, to see if the affordable healthcare they recently won in contract negotiations will be cast back on the negotiating table. Premiums are soaring for many employees, and for retirees as well. There are 100,000 residents of Delaware without health coverage and another 100,000 to 200,000 under-insured. The population of the state is approximately 680,000. The national figures are similar. This is a national disgrace. Let's fix it."
For more information: http://www.kucinich.us
For Congressman Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm.
To schedule interviews with Kucinich or a spokesperson: interviews@kucinich.us
Local Contacts: Daniel Verinder 302-328-6907 6andst1s@planet-save.com
National Contacts: David Swanson 301-772-0210, cell 202-329-7847, fax 301-772-7293, swanson@kucinich.us; Susan Mainzer 213-840-0077, susan.mainzer@kucinich.us
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