New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Unveils Bold, Innovative National Health Care Plan
Richardson Plan Calls for Affordable Health Care For All Americans, No Tax Increase
Presidential Candidate Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico today
announced his health care plan at a forum of presidential candidates
sponsored by the Service Employees International Union and the Center
for American Progress Action Fund. The Richardson Plan is a realistic,
common-sense solution based on new ideas and proven methods.
“American families are struggling under the current system. As a
Governor, I deal with these issues every single day and I have the
experience it takes to get the job done,” said Governor Richardson.
“Imagine everyone having access to the same quality of healthcare as
members of Congress and the President. Americans deserve no less.”
Many families’ budgets are stretched so thin that they are forced to
rely on credit cards to pay their medical bills. To provide immediate
relief, Richardson proposes capping credit card interest rates on
necessary medical expenses. “The brother of New Mexico’s own Secretary
of Human Services had to charge his medical bills and is now paying 17%
interest. As President I will protect Americans from having to pay
outrageous interest rates on the medical debt they have on their credit
cards,” said Richardson.
Richardson’s health care plan guarantees that all Americans will
have choices of high quality, affordable care by giving every American
the choice to keep their current coverage or obtain coverage through an
existing, well-established program. Under Bill Richardson’s plan:
Working families and small businesses will be able to purchase coverage through the same plan that members of Congress enjoy.
Americans 55 and older will be able to purchase coverage through Medicare.
Richardson
will consider a “trade” with the states. Medicare funds care for
seniors and persons with disabilities in exchange for states expanding
their Medicaid and State Child Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP) to
cover children and families.
Veterans will get access to the
high-quality care they deserve, when they need it, without bureaucratic
hassles. Richardson’s plan will give every veteran returning from
active duty a Heroes Health Card that provides them with a choice of
providers wherever they live. No one who has served in our military
should have to drive 100 miles to the nearest VA facility just to get
care.
In addition to making quality healthcare affordable for every
American, Richardson’s plan will also keep costs under control for
families and businesses:
Everyone who needs coverage will get an advance refundable tax credit based on income.
Richardson
will clamp down on banks and credit card companies that charge
outrageous interest rates for medical care debt. Lenders need to do
their fair share.
Like auto insurance, all Americans will have to
have health coverage and employers will pay their fair share of
employee health care costs.
Richardson will invest in prevention, streamline administration, and support healthier lifestyle choices.
Richardson states that his plan can be paid for without raising
taxes, noting that when some do not have access to affordable care, all
Americans end up paying the price. He also pointed out that nearly 31%
of healthcare expenditures are for administration instead of direct
care.
“I don’t think our first answer as Democrats should always be to
raise taxes,” said Richardson. “We can pay for this with a partnership
between employers, employees, and government; with the efficiencies
we’re creating; and by requiring everyone to have health insurance.”
Richardson also echoed his previous calls to withdraw troops from
Iraq, stating that he would bring troops home from Iraq within a year
and use some of the funds for health care.
