Bush Sees Health Care as Major Focus of Second-Term Domestic Agenda

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http://covertheuninsuredweek.org/news/index.php?NewsID=849

 

Bush Sees Health Care as Major Focus of Second-Term

Domestic Agenda

 

President offers few specifics, but alludes to his

support of market-based solutions

 

Source(s): Peter Wallsten, The Los Angeles Times (July

22); Associated Press (July 22)

At a fundraising speech in Washington, President

George Bush " hinted " that there could be " major

changes " in national health care and retirement

programs if he wins the election, reports the Los

Angeles Times. Though he offered few specifics, Bush

described " a new era of ownership " that would allow

Americans to have more control over their health

insurance and savings plans and would lower health

care costs. " We must move forward to expand access to

care, and to keep important health decisions in the

hands of patients and doctors, not in government

bureaucrats, " Bush said, according to the Associated

Press. His comments were " the president's strongest

suggestion yet that he would forge ahead with a plan

to create private retirement savings and health

accounts, " according to the Times. Democrats contend

that such plans " place benefits further out of reach "

for middle- and low-income people.

 

Bush's comments in effect acknowledge " that the

election would ... be decided by domestic concerns, "

as well as foreign policy. The Times reported that a

new survey by the Pew Research Center shows

Republicans " losing ground " on domestic issues, with

half of registered voters saying that Democrats would

" do the best job revamping healthcare, " and 23 percent

choosing the Republicans. Bush's " new focus on

healthcare suggests the president is angling to make

that a critical issue, " according to the article.