2004 GOP Convention in NYC: on Health Care

George W. Bush: Allow small firms to join together to purchase insurance

We must allow small firms to join together to purchase insurance at the discounts available to big companies. We will offer a tax credit to encourage small businesses and their employees to set up health savings accounts, and provide direct help for low-income Americans to purchase them. These accounts give workers the security of insurance against major illness, the opportunity to save tax-free for routine health expenses, and the freedom of taking your account with you whenever you change jobs. Source: 2004 Republican Convention Acceptance Speech

George W. Bush: Pass medical liability reform to make health care affordable

I have met too many good doctors, especially OB-GYNS, who are being forced out of practice because of the high cost of lawsuits. To make health care more affordable and accessible, we must pass medical liability reform now. And in all we do to improve health care in America, we will make sure that health decisions are made by doctors and patients, not by bureaucrats in Washington, DC. Source: 2004 Republican Convention Acceptance Speech

George W. Bush: Will enroll millions of poor children in health programs

America's children must also have a healthy start in life. In a new term, we will lead an aggressive effort to enroll millions of poor children who are eligible but not signed up for the government's health insurance programs. We will not allow a lack of attention, or information, to stand between these children and the health care they need. Source: 2004 Republican Convention Acceptance Speech

Bill Frist: Prescription drug benefit is lifeblood of our future

Health care is the lifeblood of our future and it touches every life-our grandparents, our parents, our children, you. And when you need it, you want it to be reliable. You want it to be affordable and lifelong. You want it to reflect the dignity and the value of those you love. And you want it to be the best. Let me remind you: in 2000, before someone borrowed his line, George Bush promised that "help is on the way." Tonight, America can take comfort that help is here. Today, unlike when my dad practiced, the most powerful tools in American medicine are prescription drugs. These medicines help so many get out of bed, pick up their grandchild, walk to the store and find joy in each day. Yet these miracle medicines were denied by Medicare. Well, George Bush has righted that wrong! Thanks to his leadership, over 40 million seniors and individuals with disabilities will soon have access to prescription drugs. Source: 2004 Republican Convention Speech

Bill Frist: "Welcome to Medicare" physical--real reform and improvement

Prescription drug coverage is the centerpiece of something bigger: the first real reform of Medicare since its creation. Among the improvements we made are new screenings for heart disease, diabetes and cancer-a first ever "Welcome to Medicare" physical exam. And right now, thanks to the president's action, this Medicare prescription drug discount card is providing 4 million seniors with immediate relief from the high cost of their medicines. Now some of our opponents don't want seniors to get this card They don't want seniors to know that our party cut the cost of their medicines. They'd rather play politics than help patients. Don't listen to them! You can get your card today. And it's simple. Just call 1-800-MEDICARE. Tell 'em you want your card. Tell 'em Dr. Frist prescribed it. Our opponents talked about doing this for eight years. While seniors suffered they talked and talked and talked. George Bush and the Republican Congress delivered. We acted. Not just talk-action. Source: 2004 Republican Convention Speech

Bill Frist: Health Savings Accounts empower responsibility

We believe true compassion encourages and empowers Americans to be responsible and take control of their own lives. That's what President Bush and the Republican Congress did when we made Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) the law of the land. With an HSA you can invest tax-free in a personal savings account. You can roll it over year to year or withdraw funds if you get sick without paying a penny of tax. You own it. You invest it. You grow it. You control it. It is yours. So here's the choice: do we grow the bureaucracy and gouge you with higher taxes, as Mr. Kerry will do? Or, do we let the American people grow their own HSAs and own their health care, as George Bush wants to do? We've made our choice. Source: 2004 Republican Convention Speech

Rod Paige: Bush has won some huge victories on health care

Bush has won some huge victories to make health care cost less and be there when you need it. Health care is the lifeblood of our future, and it touches every life - our grandparents, our parents, our children, you. And when you need it, you want it to be reliable, affordable, and lifelong. You want it to reflect the dignity and the value of those you love. Thanks to Bush's leadership, over 40 million seniors and individuals with disabilities will soon have access to prescription drugs. Source: 2004 Republican Convention Speech

Rod Paige: The Medicare prescription drug discount card is helpful

Among the improvements we made are new screenings for heart disease, diabetes and cancer - a first ever "Welcome to Medicare" physical exam. The Medicare prescription drug discount card is providing 4 million seniors with immediate relief from the high cost of their medicines. We believe true compassion encourages and empowers Americans to be responsible and take control of their own lives. That's what Bush and the Republican Congress did when we made Health Savings Accounts the law of the land. Source: 2004 Republican Convention Speech

Rod Paige: Tax credits for the uninsured, reform for the medical system

Bush is working for tax credits of up to $1,000 for individuals, and $3,000 for families, to help the uninsured purchase their own health insurance. And as for small businesses, they're burdened, often crushed, by health care costs. So, we want to help them band together to provide affordable health care for their employees and their families. The culprits are personal injury trial lawyers. We must stop them from twisting American medicine into a litigation lottery and every patient ends up paying. Source: 2004 Republican Convention Speech

Rod Paige: Bush is funding stem cell research at record levels

Scientists work on two basic types of stem cell research. One is adult - with cells taken, for example, from bone marrow or cartilage. Another uses cells taken from human embryos. Adult stem cell research has already led to cures. Contrary to the claims of some, embryonic stem cell research is still at a very early stage. Under Bush's policy, the government is funding both types of stem cell research at record levels. And the private sector remains free to fund and pursue any type of stem cell research. Source: 2004 Republican Convention Speech

The above quotations are from Speeches at the 2004 Republican Convention, in New York City, Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2004. Click here for definitions & background information on Health Care. Click here for more quotes by George W. Bush on Health Care. Click here for more quotes by Dick Cheney on Health Care.
*Other candidates on Health Care:*
George W. Bush Dick Cheney John Edwards John Kerry *Third Party Candidates:* Michael Baradnik Peter Camejo David Cobb Ralph Nader Michael Peroutka	*Democratic Primaries:* Carol Moseley Braun Wesley Clark Howard Dean Dick Gephardt Bob Graham Dennis Kucinich Joe Lieberman Al Sharpton
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