H.R. 676 Offers the Most Comprehensive Coverage

With his health care plan, H. R. 676, Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate willing to eliminate the private, for-profit, insurance industry that wastes 15-30% of every dollar spent on non-health care expenses and offer a truly universal, not-for-profit, single-payer national health care system: H.R. 676. Not only does H.R. 676 make the most economical sense, but the coverage is unparalled in the quality and stability that Americans will receive.

Under H.R. 676 all out-of-pocket expenses like co-pays, deductibles and medications costs are eliminated. This proves H.R. 676 to be greatly superior to other health care plans because it is these out-of-pocket expenses that lead to the mass medically related bankruptcies in this country. Half of all American bankruptcies are medically related and, outrageously, 3 out of every 4 of these are experienced by PEOPLE WHO HAVE INSURANCE! The reason is because the out-of-pocket expenses are out of the reach of most once a serious illness arises. And as H. R. 676 is the only plan that eliminates these out-of-pocket expenses, Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate to address this devastating issue that affects millions of Americans.

Then, consider the coverage offered under H.R. 676. Not only does it provide all medically necessary coverage, but it goes further to include full dental, vision, and mental health care, including substance abuse treatment. All fully covered.

Under H.R. 676, all Americans will have free access to fully comprehensive benefits and care, by actually spending less than we do under the current private insurance system. This is possible because H.R. 676 eliminates the wasteful administration of the current system, which uses 15-30% of every healthcare dollar on non- healthcare related costs such as, advertising/marketing, patient rating and underwriting, and corporate profit. Under the not-for-profit H.R. 676, these costs are eliminated and administration runs at a much more economic 3% of spending, saving the U.S. roughly $400 Billion a year to be utilized for actual care.

The funds are already available in our national healthcare spending. It is only an issue of administering the system properly and allocating the funds in a rational and organized way. Under H.R. 676 the premiums, co-pays, deductibles, and medication costs that are responsible for half of all bankruptcies in this country, are fully covered. The funding for the plan is primarily generated through taxes, as well as assimilating funding for current public programs, such as Medicaid, Medicare and SCHIP, and repealing the Bush tax cuts for the highest income earners. There will be a 3.3% payroll tax on all employers and employees for 95% of income earners; a 5% health tax on the top 5% of income earners; and a 10% tax on the top1% of wage earners.

As stated above, taxes will be raised, however, as the rates are relative to wages and all out-of-pocket expenses (deductibles, co-pays, and medications) are fully covered, the overwhelming majority of Americans will save money. In fact, 95% of families will save money according to a study by national economist Dean Baker. A family of three earning $50,000/yr would spend only $2,375 a year under H.R.676 for full coverage, compared to the average family spending under employer based programs being $11,000/yr according to National Coalition for Health Care. And Businesses would also save and better complete in the International market.

But, the full health of our nation doesn't just call for insurance plans and docotor visits. A healthy nation also includes a new approach to the pychological and spiritual well being of our citizens, and Dennis Kucinich is leading here as well. Under a new doctrine of "strength through peace" America will gain a new balance in priorities, away from foreign wars and back to investing in the economy and infrastructure. The poor, working and middle classes will rebuild their cities through his jobs program and receive quality education (the only proven solution to overcome poverty) beginning with universal pre-kindergarten program. Through his Department of Peace, both international and domestic, violence will be addressed through well established and practical measures. And Dennis Kucinich will finally end The War on Drugs.

Drug addiction and abuse is a serious issue that ruins people’s lives, which cannot be ignored. However, we have to change our policies and approach significantly. We need to help and support these Americans rather than criminalize them. Drug addiction is a medical and moral problem that should be treated by professionals, not dumped on the criminal justice system.

The War on Drugs drives up the price and encourages violence. Prohibition simply doesn't work. We need to aggressively pursue proven public information campaigns and set up a national commission of medical professionals to develop an intelligent program, based on the experience of drug experts from around the world. This will Allow doctors to treat drug addiction humanely and intelligently, including the prescription of maintenance doses, which would allow us to quickly eliminate most of the black market and much of the damage to a safe, free, and just America.

Dennis Kucinich finally means a healthy America!