Healthcare goal: “Our goal is to ensure that Americans can choose and afford private health care coverage that best fits their individual needs. To make insurance more affordable, Congress must act to address rapidly rising health care costs. Small businesses should be able to band together and negotiate for lower insurance rates, so they can cover more workers with health insurance.” (1/20/04)
On nationalized healthcare: “I’m absolutely opposed to a national health care plan. I don’t want the federal government making decisions for consumers or for providers.” (Presidential Debate, 10/17/00)
Savings accounts: “Starting this year, millions of Americans will be able to save money, tax-free, for their medical expenses in a health savings account. I signed this measure proudly, and any attempts to limit the choices of our seniors or to take away their prescription drug coverage under Medicare will meet my veto.” (State of the Union address, 1/20/04)
On medical liability reform: “Because of excessive litigation, everybody pays more for health care, and many parts of America are losing fine doctors. No one has ever been healed by a frivolous lawsuit. I urge the Congress to pass medical liability reform.” (State of the Union Address, 1/28/03)
Signed into law Medicare-Prescription Drug Improvement Act providing medicare reform and prescription drug benefits to 40 million senior citizens (12/03).
Signed into law bill releasing $100 million in federal funds for state high-risk insurance pools to help high-risk Americans have better access to health insurance (12/02).
As Texas Governor, signed into law bill making Texas the first state to grant patients the right to sue HMOs (Texas Health Care Liability Act, 1997).