In other news

[ProSense]

Kerry Health Care Plan Eases Cost Burden on Families, Businesses

Kerry Bill allows for broader coverage and lower premiums

WASHINGTON -- Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) introduced the Healthy Businesses, Healthy Workers Reinsurance Act of 2007, which will tackle the growing crisis of health care costs for families and businesses. Under Kerry's plan, the federal government will pick up part of the cost for the most catastrophic cases -- and in turn, businesses will cover all their employees with quality, preventative coverage. Premiums for all Americans will decrease by up to 10%. Healthy Businesses, Healthy Families is co-sponsored by Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.).

"The cost of health insurance premiums for families has risen 87 percent since 2000 - this is a huge contributor to the health care crisis in this country," said Senator Kerry, Chairman of the Senate's Small Business Committee and a member of the Finance Committee. "Part of the reason that businesses don't cover their workers is an aversion to risk -- a fear that they will be saddled with a sick employee whose high premiums will bankrupt them. But there's a way to fight these high costs -- and it's time Washington makes employers and healthcare plans an offer they can't refuse."

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Kerry Plan Would Ban All New Coal Plants That Use Obsolete Technology

WASHINGTON -- Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) introduced the Clean Coal Act of 2007, which prohibits the construction of all new coal fired power plants in the United States unless they use state-of-the-art emissions reduction technology. The new technology limits the release of carbon emissions from power plants, which is one of the leading causes of global warming.

Kerry's bill will mandate that all new coal plants - including the approximately 150 new plants proposed throughout the United States in the next decade - use technologies that significantly reduce emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

"Climate change is one of the most pressing and urgent issues facing our environment, our economy and our national security," Senator Kerry said. "We can - and must - find a better way to burn coal to combat the emissions that contribute to this crisis."

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Kerry Calls for Immediate Implementation of Women's Contracting Program

WASHINGTON, May 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On the heels of a recently released study that found lagging participation in federal contracting on behalf of women-owned small businesses, Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) called upon the Bush Administration to take immediate action and implement the Women's Procurement Program created in 2000. The Administration has failed to implement the program, despite repeated promises, costing women-owned firms $6 billion in lost contracts a year.

"Seven years is too long to wait to get the federal government to follow the law," said Kerry, Chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. "Women-owned small businesses contribute hundreds of billions of dollars to our economy each year. It's shameful that they're not getting a fair shot at government contracts, and the Administration needs to help level the playing field by implementing the Women's Procurement Program without further delay."

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[karynnj]

1. Kerry's been awfully busy

The healthcare idea was considered to be a great idea when it was part of his 2004 plan. There was an article where some of the big auto companies were very impressed by this idea.

[politicasista]

2. K&R

:kick:

[Mabus]

3. Kerry is a good man

K&R for a Democrat who keeps working for the people.