Gay Men's Health Crisis Compares Healthcare Positions of Presidential Candidates Bush and Kerry

New York

-- Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) today released a report that compares the health care reform proposals of President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry. Entitled "Prescriptions for Reform: A Comparison of the Bush and Kerry Health Care Access Proposals and their Impact on People with HIV/AIDS," the report sheds light on the stark differences between the Bush and Kerry health plans, and assesses how each plan may impact the public and private insurance systems on which people with HIV/AIDS rely.

"The presidential candidates are offering two very different visions for the future of the U.S. health care system, and this report helps clarify those differences in the context of the health care access needs of people with HIV/AIDS," said Ana Oliveira, Executive Director of GMHC. "Healthcare is one of the most important issues in this year's presidential race. We urge everyone to review the positions of the two candidates so they can make a sound selection on Election Day. The health of our nation depends on it."

Key highlights of the report include:

• 20% of people with HIV/AIDS in the United States are uninsured
• 50% of people with HIV/AIDS (who access care) rely on either Medicaid or Medicare to pay for their healthcare needs
• Senator Kerry supports Medicaid coverage for non-disabled people with HIV; President Bush's position is unclear
• President Bush opposes the importation of low-cost drugs from Canada and elsewhere; Senator Kerry supports importation

To view the distinct differences in the healthcare policies proposed by each candidate, read the full report (PDF).