Kerry says Bush not trying to cut health costs

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http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N10423052.htm

EDINBORO, Pa., May 10 (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry launched a weeklong offensive on Monday accusing President George W. Bush of letting skyrocketing health care costs push families to the brink of financial ruin and not even trying to help them.

"It's not acceptable to do nothing," Kerry told nursing students at Edinboro University in his sharpest attack yet on Bush's health care policies.

Kerry said the nation's health care system was "badly broken," with costs rising four times as fast as wages. He said family incomes were being "chewed up" and local factories were "rushing overseas" to escape the burden, while insurance companies have reaped record profits.

As part of a coordinated effort, Kerry's former Democratic presidential rival, Rep. Richard Gephardt of Missouri, accused the president and his fellow Republicans of being beholden to the pharmaceutical, health maintenance organizations and insurance industries.

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