THE KERRY RECORD ON HEATHCARE #2

In honor of Kerry's visit on Wednesday to Rochester for a private event to talk about healthcare, please check back for additional information on Kerry's real record on heathcare.

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THE RAW DEAL: John Kerry’s History of Support for Higher Taxes and Opposition to Lowering the Cost of Health Care

John Kerry's Votes For Higher Taxes

Kerry Voted 98 Times For Tax Increases Totaling More Than $2.3 Trillion.
Kerry Voted At Least 126 Times Against Tax Cuts Totaling More Than $5.3 Trillion.
Kerry Voted Against 2001 And 2003 Bush Tax Cuts.
Kerry Voted Twice For Largest Tax Increase In U.S. History.
Kerry Voted For Higher Taxes On Social Security Benefits At Least Eight Times.
Kerry Voted Against Marriage Penalty Relief At Least 22 Times
Kerry Voted Against Expanding Child Tax Credit At Least 18 Times.
Kerry Voted For Higher Gas Taxes On The Middle Class 10 Times And He Once Supported A 50 Cent A Gallon Gas Tax Increase.

Kerry Sponsored And Voted For Motion To Kill Marriage Penalty Relief For Couples Earning Less Than $50,000 Per Year. "Kerry, D-Mass., motion to table (kill) the Gramm, R-Texas, amendment … The Gramm amendment would allow couples with combined incomes under $50,000 a year to claim an additional $3,300 income tax deduction, thus eliminating the so-called marriage penalty for those in that income bracket." Sen. Gramm's marriage penalty relief would have saved taxpayers $46 billion over 10 years. The amendment also would have allowed self-employed individuals to deduct health insurance costs on their income taxes. (S. 1415, CQ Vote #154: Rejected 48-50: R 5-49; D 43-1, 6/10/98, Kerry Voted Yea)

In 1995, Kerry Voted For A Resolution That Said Middle Class Tax Cuts Were Not Wise. The sense of the Senate amendment, killed on a motion by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), said, "reducing the deficit should be one of the nation's highest priorities, and that a middle-class tax cut would undermine and be inconsistent with the goal of achieving a balanced budget." (H.J. Res. 1, CQ Vote #67: Motion Agreed To 66-32: R 49-3; D 17-29, 2/14/95, Kerry Voted Nay)

Frivolous Lawsuits Cost Americans Billions

Medical Liability Lawsuits Cost Between $65 Billion And $108 Billion Per Year. (July 25, 2002 HHS study: "Confronting the New Health Care Crisis: Improving Health Care Quality and Lowering Costs By Fixing Our Medical Liability System"; www.hhs.gov)

Kerry Opposes Lawsuit Reform

Kerry Is A "Longtime Opponent Of Damage Caps And Product Liability Reform." "Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., a longtime opponent of damage caps and product liability reform, supports mandatory sanctions for meritless claims as part of his presidential platform. He also would require all states to offer non-binding mediation before allowing plaintiffs to proceed to trial." (Elizabeth Austin and Jim Day, "Rising Awards Adds Fuel To Debate On Tort Reform," Chicago Lawyer, 11/03)

Kerry "Would Not Rule Out More 'Punitive' Measures." "Kerry has proposed creating quasi-judicial panels to screen out frivolous lawsuits against doctors that help cause medical malpractice insurance costs to soar. He would not rule out more 'punitive' measures than are in his plan. 'I think that's the beginning place,' he said. 'I think it has to be on the table.'" (John Kerry For President Website, "Kerry Talks Health To City Employees," www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/clips /news_2003_0710a.html, Accessed 11/11/03)

At Least Ten Times In The Last Decade, Kerry Opposed Or Voted To Block Medical Liability Reforms.
Kerry Missed 2003 Vote On Medical Liability Reform.
Kerry Opposed Capping Product Liability Punitive Damages Against Small Businesses.
Kerry Opposed Limiting Punitive Damages In Product Liability Cases.
Kerry Opposed A Loser Pays System For Security Fraud Lawsuits.
Kerry Opposed Capping Personal Injury Lawyers' Contingency Fees For Non-Economic Damages.
Kerry Opposed Lowering The Amount Of Awards For Product Liability Lawsuits.

Source: www.georgewbush.com