Guaranteeing coverage to all Americans will involve a mix of state and federal programs, as well as the existing private sector. Similar to our program in Vermont, states should be required to guarantee coverage for all children under age 23. In return, the federal government should assume responsibility for drug and acute medical care for Americans over age 65. In addition, older Americans deserve a pharmacy benefit under Medicare - an unaffordable impossibility under the current fiscal policies of President Bush. With a pharmaceutical package, Medicare becomes a decent insurance program. Finally, to cover those between the ages of 23 and 65, we should use the present employer-based system with refundable tax credits and federal subsidies to cover low- and moderate-income Americans who lack insurance.
To help finance this effort, we must repeal the President's tax cuts -- which have thrown America back into the huge deficits of the 1980s -- and begin to balance the federal budget. We cannot build crucial social programs without a solid financial foundation.
Yep. Universal, government-funded and mandated health care. At least he's honest about the cost. But realize, too, that he's just come out in support of raising taxes.
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