As for your healtcare premiums, what did GWB do, or not do, SPECIFICALLY that had a DIRECT impact on your premiums going up? Are you sure you are directing your frustration in the right direction.
He SPECIFICALLY didn't do anything to control the astronomical increases as they continued to climb... stands by and watches private industry gouge regular people on a daily basis. In essence, his passivity is screwing the economy.
Over four years he has done absolutely nothing while costs have increased at record paces, making it harder for middle class families to get by. Health care costs have skyrocketed with American families paying 64 percent more than they did four years ago. The typical health care premium has increased more than $3,500 a year while over 5 million more Americans have no health insurance coverage. George Bush has done nothing to help these families.
HEALTH CARE COSTS RISE:
$3,512 Increase in Health Care Premiums. In the United States, the total family premium for health insurance has increased by $3,512 to $9,950. Out-of-pocket costs and prescription drug prices have also dramatically increased under Bush. [Kaiser Family Foundation]
Families Pay 64 Percent More in Health Care Premiums. Families are now paying 64 percent more for health care than they did four years ago. [Kaiser Family Foundation]
Health Care Premiums Increased Five Times Faster than Workers' Earnings Last Year. Health care premiums increased by 11.2% last year while workers' earnings increased by only 2.2%. During every year Bush has been in office, premiums outpaced earnings. [Kaiser Family Foundation]
Deductibles and Copays Higher Too. Out-of-pocket costs continue to squeeze family budgets. Deductibles have increased by nearly two-thirds and prescription drug copays have increased by more than 50 percent. [Kaiser Family Foundation]
Spending on Prescription Drugs Has More than Doubled Over Five Years. The amount spent on prescription drugs has more than doubled over the past five years, from $87 billion in 1998 to $184 billion in 2003. Americans are spending more on prescription drugs today than ever before. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, National Health Expenditure Projections, February, 2004]
Prescription Drug Prices Increased by 22 Percent. Seniors are now paying 22 percent more for prescription drugs than they did four years ago. [Families USA]
BUSH'S FAILURE TO CUT COSTS:
Seniors Will Pay More for Prescription Drugs Under Bush's New Plan. According to Consumers Union, "most beneficiaries will face higher out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs after full implementation, despite the benefit." In addition, drug manufacturers have been raising prices in anticipation of a Medicare discount plan, negating potential savings from discount cards. [Consumers Union, 11/17/03; AARP, Trends in Manufacturer Prices of Brand Name Prescription Drugs Used By Older Americans - First Quarter 2004 Update, June 2004]
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) Will Raise Health Care Costs for Many. HSAs will divide Americans between the sick and healthy with affluent workers choosing HSAs while sicker workers will tend to remain in comprehensive coverage. The people remaining in comprehensive coverage are more expensive to insure, driving their premiums higher. Some employers will choose this new option to drop health insurance for their employees while others will reduce their contribution. Independent estimates suggest HSAs will leave more than 1.4 million workers currently insured without coverage. [Journal of the American Medical Association, 6/5/96; Urban Institute, April 1996; American Academy of Actuaries, May 1995; Consumers Union, 8/10/00; Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 5/10/04]
CBO Estimates Associated Health Plans Could Raise Premiums for 4 out of 5 Small Businesses. Studies show that AHPs will increase the cost of insurance for many small businesses and will increase the number of uninsured. The CBO estimated that AHPs could raise premiums for 4 out of 5 small businesses that keep traditional insurance. [CBO, "Increasing Small-Firm Health Insurance Coverage through Association Health Plans and HealthMarts," January 2000.]
Of course, in Teresa's defense, her 12% in 2003 is likely many times more than you and I will ever pay in our life time. It's the same for all very, very rich people, the percentage can be decieving because the actual dollars paid is so high, and we forget that.
