'Sharp Contrast' Between Bush and Gore on Health Care

Families USA releases new study on health care records and positions of the two candidates

Gov. George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore present the American people with a clear choice when the issue is health care, according to a new report released today by Families USA, the national organization for health care consumers.

"The American people have put health care at the top of their list of priorities, so it is important they understand what the next president's health care agenda will be," said Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA. "On health care issues, there is a sharp contrast between the proposals offered by Gov. Bush and Vice President Gore. The American people need to understand the differences between how these two men approach health care, so they can make an informed decision when they step into the voting booths on November 7th."

"More than 42 million people - one-fourth of them children - have no health insurance coverage," Pollack said. "More than 18 million seniors do not have year-round coverage for prescription drugs, and soaring prices are putting those drugs further and further out of reach. The number of Medicare beneficiaries is expected to double within 30 years. Everywhere we look, we see the signs of strain on our health care system, particularly on consumers. It is important to know how the next president proposes to address these issues."

The new report, "Health Care and the 2000 Election," analyzes the proposals offered by Gov. Bush and Vice President Gore in eight areas: prescription drug coverage, the solvency of the Medicare program, health care coverage for children, health care coverage for adults, patients' rights, long-term care, patients' privacy, and mental health. Each section of the report includes a discussion of the issue, a narrative from a person or a family affected by the issue, a review of the candidates' policy positions and a description of their respective records on the issue. 

"We analyze what the two candidates say they want to do in the context of what they have done," Pollack said.

Data for the report were collected from the candidates' policy papers on health care, statements on their web sites, public statements and press accounts. Families USA is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that advocates for affordable, high-quality health care for all Americans. Families USA has never endorsed a candidate for public office.

To receive a copy of the report, contact Families USA

###

Families USA is the national organization for health care consumers. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan and advocates for high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

1201 New York Avenue NW, Suite 1100 · Washington, DC 20005
202-628-3030 · Email: info@familiesusa.org · www.familiesusa.org