Dean jumps aboard the "Health Care" bandwagon.
Dean Offers Health Care Initiative
Thursday, May 01, 2003
FOXNews.com
WASHINGTON His anti-war rhetoric has both raised his profile and defined his candidacy, but with Iraq liberated, Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean (search), the only doctor in the 2004 field, now wants to reposition himself as the health care candidate.
At a hastily arranged speech in New York City on Wednesday, Dean offered general plans for near universal health coverage through existing government programs.
Adults over age 65 would be covered under an expansion of Medicare. Young people under 24-years-old would be covered under expanded Medicaid, and 24- to 64-year-olds would be covered by public-private partnerships, vouchers and tax breaks.
"I believe health care is a right and I want to pass it through Congress," Dean said.
To pay for the package, Dean said he would repeal about 80 percent of President Bush's 2001 tax cut.
Dean has not put an exact price tag on his plan, or said how he'll curb spiraling health costs, aides say that comes later.
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