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Healthcare


The President's Health Care Accomplishments

  • All seniors will be guaranteed access to affordable prescription drug coverage under Medicare. In December 2003, President Bush signed into law legislation that will make Medicare prescription drug coverage available to 40 million seniors and people with disabilities. The new benefit will become available on January 1, 2006. Beginning in June 2004, beneficiaries will have access to Medicare-approved prescription drug discount cards, which will save them 10 -- 25% off the retail price of most prescription drugs. Low-income beneficiaries also will receive $600 to help them purchase their medicines.
  • All seniors will have more choices and better benefits under a strengthened and improved Medicare program. In addition to helping seniors afford their prescriptions, the legislation the President signed enhances basic Medicare coverage by providing better preventive care. Beginning in 2006, seniors also will get the same kinds of choices that Members of Congress and Federal employees have to select the coverage that is best for them, including the choice of keeping their Medicare coverage just the way it is.
  • All Americans will benefit from lower prescription drug prices. The President has implemented a new rule to lower drug costs for millions of Americans. By strengthening competition between generic and brand-name drugs, patients will enjoy increased access to generic drugs, which are safe, effective, and often more affordable than the brand-name alternatives. This rule is expected to save American consumers more than $35 billion in drug costs over the next 10 years.
  • Millions of low-income Americans have been made eligible for health care coverage. From January 2001 through December 2003, HHS approved waivers and state plan amendments that will make an additional 2.6 million low-income children and adults eligible for Medicaid and SCHIP when fully implemented. Overall, the number of children eligible for Medicaid increased from 22.7 million to 25.7 million from FY 2001 to FY 2004. The number of non-disabled adults has increased 21% from 12.6 million to 15.3 million. The number of children enrolled in SCHIP increased from 4.6 million in 2001 to 5.8 million in 2003. In total, nearly 7 million additional low-income children and adults are being served in Medicaid and SCHIP. Vulnerable populations who live in medically underserved areas have gained greater access to medical services. To fulfill a commitment to open or expand 1,200 community health center sites to serve an additional 6.1 million people by 2006, the President has dramatically increased funding for health centers to serve individuals who live in underserved and rural areas, including many adults and children who are uninsured, low-income individuals, migrant farm workers, homeless individuals, and children.
  • Federal funding of state high-risk pools, which provide safety net health insurance to individuals with serious medical conditions, will make coverage more affordable. Many Americans with pre-existing medical conditions have difficulty finding insurance coverage. Others have policies available, but can't afford the premiums. High-risk pools in 30 states make coverage available and more affordable to these individuals. In December 2002, President Bush signed into law legislation that will make $100 million available to states to establish and support high-risk pools. Some $40 million in Federal funds will be awarded to states this year to help subsidize these pools.
  • Doubling the budget of the National Institutes of Health will lead to better health care for all Americans. President Bush fulfilled another commitment by completing the historic doubling of the NIH budget by 2003, dramatically increasing medical research to $28.6 billion in his FY 2005 budget to speed cures and treatments for the diseases that plague our Nation and the world.
  • Increased funding for biodefense preparedness is strengthening our homeland security and improving public health surveillance. The President has provided nearly $4.5 billion to states, local governments, and hospitals for preparedness against a bioterrorist attack. Enhancements to public health surveillance improve our capacity in the area of detecting and responding to all human illnesses and outbreaks of disease.

Speeches and News Releases
March 16, 2004
President Delivers Remarks on Health Access
 
February 4, 2004
Health Care Questions Answered on "Ask the White House"
 
January 28, 2004
President Bush Discusses Quality, Affordable Health Care
 
January 28, 2004
President's Health Care Agenda Fact Sheet
 
January 20, 2004
Health Care Excerpts from State of the Union
December 8, 2003
President Signs Medicare Legislation
 
More News »
Documents
  The President's Proposals for Health Security in the World's Best Health Care System
Related Links
  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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