- Under Bush, health care costs go up at four times the rate of
inflation.
Health care spending rose 9.3 percent in 2002 and 8.5 percent
in 2001 -- more than four times the rate of inflation. [Health Affairs,
Jan/Feb. 2004; Bureau of Labor Statistics]
- Out of pocket expenses higher under Bush
Annual out-of-pocket
expenses for workers are up $174 (52 percent) for individuals and $793 (49
percent) for families. Job-based health insurance costs are rising at the
highest rate in 13 years, with average annual premiums for employer-based
health plans rising 14 percent in 2003 -- up $323 for individuals and $1,114
for families.Kaiser Family Foundation]
- Americans without health insurance skyrockets under Bush.
In the
last two years of the Clinton Administration, 2.3 million people gained health
insurance. Since Bush took office, 3.8 million have lost it.
- Seniors' costs rise.
Retirees under the age of 65 saw their
personal expenses for health plans increase 20 percent to $166 a month in
2003, while expenses for those over 65 increased 18 percent to $83 a month.
[Kaiser Family Foundation] This is after the much touted Medicare
changes that those who were paying attention saw would increase the cost to
the individual senior citizen.
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