Gephardt Statement on Study Comparing Democratic Presidential Candidates' Health Care Plans

December 4, 2003 -

Washington, DC - Rep. Dick Gephardt released the following statement today in response to a study by health care policy expert Ken Thorpe comparing the fully implemented costs of the Democratic presidential candidates' health care plans. Dollar-for-dollar, the study indicates that the Gephardt health care plan will insure virtually all of the uninsured, or 41.2 million newly insured, while no other plan provides health coverage for more than 31.8 million of the uninsured. At a cost of $88 billion in 2005, the Gephardt health care plan will cost $2,157.77 per newly insured person, while no other plan cost less than $2,550.31 per newly insured person.

"In April, I unveiled my plan to get every American covered with quality health insurance that can never be taken away. This plan was described by many as a bold idea to provide universal health insurance coverage and stimulate the economy. Providing health care for all has been an issue of great importance to me throughout my career, and I was proud to make it the centerpiece of my campaign and one of the defining issues of the Democratic presidential campaign.

"Ken Thorpe's study demonstrates that when fully implemented, my health care plan will cover the most uninsured people and is the most cost-effective per newly insured person of all the Democratic candidate plans.

"While insuring the uninsured is critical to solving the health care problem, my plan will also provide needed economic stimulus to the economy and assist both private and public employees who currently have health insurance through their employers but live in fear that they will lose their coverage or be forced to pay more to maintain their coverage. By eliminating the Bush tax cuts, my plan will provide $2,000 to $3,000 in added benefits and income to working families - more than triple the benefit they received from the Bush tax cuts - and it will provide state and local governments $53 billion annually to pay for such vital services as additional health care coverage.

"Once again, I am proud to be leading the field of Democratic presidential candidates on an issue of such vital importance to every American and one that will be critical to solving the economic problems that face our nation. As I challenged my Democratic presidential opponents in April to produce their own health care plans, I now challenge President Bush to do the same."