Reply #56: Kennedy, Kerry and a few others have always been for universal healthcare and crafted bills [View All]

[blm]

along the way in hopes of eventually getting there. I support Kerry on those efforts just as I support Kennedy's efforts. Sometimes it takes steps smaller, but, that is entirely the fault of their opposition, including too many from their own party.



>>>>>
John Kerry has been fighting for health care for all Americans. On the first day of the 110th Congress, Kerry introduced legislation in the Senate, the “Kids First Act”, to provide health care coverage to the 11 million American children who currently go without. Kerry’s legislation also helps Governors and states save on health care costs by reducing the burden on state's Medicaid rolls.

More than 500,000 people have signed on as "citizen cosponsors" in support of Kids First at johnkerry.com and nearly 20,000 people across the country have called into Kerry’s “Give Voices to Our Values” phone hotline to record their powerful, personal stories.

He also introduced legislation that would help businesses afford to cover their employees, by making a new deal between employers, health insurers, families and the federal government. Today, the high costs of treating the sickest patients are driving up the price tag for everyone's care and taking a huge toll on businesses. Just one percent of the population pays for nearly a quarter of health care spending. To help businesses get out from under the weight of the most expensive cases, he recently introduced legislation - The Healthy Businesses, Healthy Workers Reinsurance Act - which would reimburse businesses for a percentage of the highest cost cases. It includes cost containment benefits for preventative care, which lowers costs and premiums for employers and employees.

He continues to lead the fight for health care relief for our nation's small businesses. Some small businesses have reported having their premiums increase by more than 70 percent in one year. And less than half of our smallest firms are offering coverage to their workers today. As Chairman of the Senate Small Business Committee, he is pursuing legislation that will give more small businesses access to quality, affordable insurance options for their workers and families.