Overview

National health reform has emerged as a major campaign issue during the 2004 presidential election thanks to rising costs, an unstable economy, and the growing ranks of the uninsured. Both President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry have proposals to extend health insurance coverage to millions of uninsured Americans. Each of the candidates' proposals builds on the existing system of private and public health insurance in the United States rather than fundamentally reforming the health care system. President Bush would provide tax incentives for coverage in the individual market and allow the formation of new group purchasing arrangements for small businesses. Senator Kerry would increase the affordability of employer-sponsored coverage by reinsuring catastrophic expenses and provide expanded access to new forms of employer-sponsored coverage and existing state insurance programs. This report explores why the nation's chronic health insurance problem is back on the national agenda and examines the plans of the presidential candidates as of October 1, 2004.