Hillary Unveils American Health Choices Plan (9/18/07)

Presidential Candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton introduced her new American Health Choices health care plan proposal yesterday. The plan would address the needs of the 47 million Americans without health insurance, while providing options for people who are unhappy with their current coverage.

Under the plan, Americans could keep their existing coverage if they are happy with it, or access the same menu of quality private health insurance options that Members of Congress receive. This would allow all Americans access to quality health care without the need to create any new bureaucracies. In addition, Americans will be offered the choice of a public plan similar to Medicare. Working families would receive tax credits to help pay their premiums, and insurance companies would not be able to deny coverage due to pre-existing conditions.

"We can no longer tolerate the injustice of a system that shuts out nearly one in six Americans," Sen. Clinton said.

The plan would be financed by eliminating $54 billion in the Bush tax cuts for the rich (families making over $250,000 a year) and by streamlining health care agencies to save another $56 billion.

"America's health crisis is one of the most important issues facing working families this election," RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum said. "Hillary Clinton's plan would provide health insurance to all Americans and stop the corporate bean counters from deciding who gets insurance and who doesn't."