Increasing Access to Health Care
In the richest nation in the history of the world nearly 20% of the population -  46 million people – are without healthcare. At the same time our nation spends much more on healthcare than any other nation. In 2004, we spent $1.9 TRILLION in healthcare costs or 16% of GDP. This is not only wrong, but horribly inefficient. The uninsured burden the entire system and cause costs to rise for the rest of us.
 
Healthcare costs escalate at double and triple the rate of inflation. This is a national crisis that threatens not only the well being of millions of Americans, but our economic well being. I believe universal health care is a right not a privilege – and one key to a better economy for all Americans. I will support ideas and initiatives to increase health care coverage and fight costs in the future.
 
Reducing the Cost of Care
In 2004, total national health expenditures rose 7.9 percent -- over three times the rate of inflation. Total spending was $1.9 TRILLION in 2004, or $6,280 per person. Total health care spending represented 16 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).
 
In New York, costs are higher than almost any other state. One critical issue affecting the Hudson Valley is the Medicare reimbursement formula that results in big tax hikes for New Yorkers. I will fight to protect New York taxpayers from Federal negligence before our Medicare costs explode along with our aging population.  I will also work to bring down the overall costs of medical care.  By providing greater access to health insurance we can prevent the abuses of the healthcare system that result in higher premiums and co-pays for everyone.
 
Prescription Drugs
I support a real prescription drug benefit that gives every senior and disabled citizen access to all of the best drugs at affordable prices. The Medicare Part D prescription drug plan is confusing, ineffective and wasteful.
 
I was proud to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 4, which would require the government to negotiate with drug companies to receive the lowest possible price for prescription drugs covered under Medicare Part D.  This legislation has passed the House and we are waiting on the Senate for further action.
 
I have also cosponsored H.R. 932 which would limit copays for prescription drugs to $10 for Medicare’s lowest income participants.
 
Medicaid

A quarter of all children in America (more than 25 million), 13 million low-income parents, 8 million people with disabilities and 5 million older Americans receive healthcare coverage from Medicaid. I will not allow the Bush Administration to dismantle Medicaid, one of our most successful healthcare programs for the underprivileged.