Comparing candidates: Health care.(HEALTHCARE)(George W. Bush)(John F. Kerry)(Brief Article)

Kiplinger Letter, The, April, 2004

The national debate over health care won't end with the election.

It will heat up in Congress next year whether it is Bush or Kerry residing in the White House. Issues include costs, coverage and Medicare.

Kerry has an ambitious plan to insure the uninsured. His proposal would cover 27 million people and offer a combination of tax incentives, public programs and group options. But a cost of more than $650 billion over 10 years is enough to give even fellow Democrats in Congress pause.

Bush has a more modest alternative that may pass in some form. It would give tax credits to uninsured low-incomers to buy insurance. The plan would cover 4 million and cost about $70 billion over 10 years.