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Election-Year Debate
Over Health Care Intensifies
Bush, Kerry Trade Barbs over an Issue
Experts Say Resonates with Swing Voters, Especially the Elderly
Ken Fireman, Washington Bureau
September 14, 2004
Defending his record on health care in a state where swing voters care intensely about that issue, President George W. Bush said yesterday he would make it more affordable while his Democratic opponent would turn the system over to Washington.
John Kerry's campaign retorted that Bush had failed to control health care costs in his first term, has no plan to do so in a second and repeatedly sided with drug and insurance companies against consumers.
The intensified debate came on an issue that pollsters say resonates with many swing voters, especially the elderly. It flared last week when the government announced it would raise Medicare premiums that cover doctor visits by 17 percent, which Kerry quickly blamed on Bush.
The issue is especially salient with a group of voters who could prove decisive in Michigan, according to state pollster Ed Sarpolus: women over 60.
Sarpolus said this "granny vote" comprises most of the undecided voters in Michigan. They will likely be drawn to Kerry based on recent elections but are still up for grabs, which Sarpolus attributed to Kerry's failure until recently to talk about health care.
Sarpolus said Bush's pitch on health care yesterday might sway these voters. "At least the president is talking about their issues," he said. Kerry does plan to hammer Bush on the Medicare premium increase in two speeches today.
Another Michigan political analyst, Bill Ballenger, said he sensed Bush was playing defense. "Each candidate makes sure the other can't get any traction on anything," he said.
Kerry has proposed new federal subsidies that would allow the uninsured to join the federal employees health plan and pay for most catastrophic health care costs, as well as funding states to expand Medicaid coverage for poor children. He would also allow consumers to buy lower- cost Canadian drugs.
Bush charged that his rival's plan would require a steep tax increase and give Washington too much authority over health care decisions. He estimates Kerry's plan would cost $1.5 trillion over 10 years, more than double Kerry's estimate.
"What would you expect from a senator from Massachusetts? A government takeover of health care with an enormous price tag," Bush said at a rally. "This is one of the fundamental philosophical differences in this campaign ... who do you trust? We trust the people. My opponent trusts the government to make decisions when it comes to health care."
Bush offered no new proposals, touting three familiar ideas he has promoted with mixed success in Congress. He favors capping awards in malpractice lawsuits, allowing small businesses to band to win group insurance discounts and permitting individuals to establish tax-free "health savings accounts."
The accounts would pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses. Proponents say those with such accounts could purchase cheaper policies with high deductibles and use the accounts to meet the deductibles.
In addition to raising the issue on the stump, Bush put up a new TV spot contrasting his and Kerry's views on health care. Campaign spokesman Scott Stanzel said the ad would run on national cable networks and in selected swing states.
The Kerry campaign rejected Bush's criticism, saying its program cost far less than the president charged, would build on already existing health plans and would not constitute a federal takeover. It said Bush's proposals won't check rising premiums or cut the number of uninsured and would mostly benefit insurers.
"While health insurance and prescription drugs have set record prices during the last four years, George Bush has taken money from drug and insurance companies hand over fist, making their profits the priority when he should have been focusing on the needs of everyday Americans," said Kerry spokesman Phil Singer.
Michigan is closely contested and both candidates have visited several times. Bush toured part of the state yesterday; Kerry is expected today.
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