Bush Wants to Build 1,200 Health Clinics

Texas Gov. George W. Bush promised on Wednesday to improve access to medical care for the poor, adding $4.4 billion to his growing package aimed at improving the lives of those struggling to reach the middle class.

Vice President Al Gore, meanwhile, characterized Bush’s health care record as “political malpractice” and his proposals to improve the nation’s health care programs as “tax shelters for the wealthiest and healthiest Americans.”

The proposal Bush offered Wednesday would provide $3.6 billion over five years to help build 1,200 health clinics nationwide in inner-city neighborhoods and rural towns lacking such facilities.

In addition, the money would fund a $500-million grant program to sponsor projects aimed at specific community health needs, such as the high incidence of diabetes among Latinos.

Bush’s proposal also eases regulations in order to increase the number of medical students who agree to later work in underserved areas in exchange for federal scholarship money.

“Even as we work to reduce the number of uninsured, we will continue addressing the real needs in a way that has proven effective,” Bush told a small group of doctors and administrators at Grace Hill Neighborhood Health Center, a clinic in the middle of a gritty St. Louis neighborhood.

“By expanding the reach of community health centers, we will take a major step toward improving the lives and health of millions of Americans and ensuring that the social safety net is available for all who need it,” Bush said.

The speech, coming in one of the battleground states that Bush needs to win the presidency in November, is yet another jab in what has become an all-out assault against the traditional Democratic ownership of issues like education, the environment and health care.

A day earlier, Bush announced a five-year health and housing plan costing $41.6 billion. Since effectively winning the Republican presidential nomination in March, Bush has also announced initiatives to improve public schools and clean up industrial sites.

Including Wednesday’s announcement, the tab for the new proposals is approaching $60 billion and promises to grow further.

Gore, speaking to the American Society of Newspaper Editors in Washington, contrasted Bush’s health and housing plans with his proposals to cut taxes.

“These are his priorities: Gov. Bush has proposed about $15 in special-interest tax schemes for every $1 of health care investment,” Gore said. “What’s the priority? Gov. Bush has proposed about $100 in special-interest tax schemes for every $1 in education investment. What’s his priority?”

Turning to Bush’s track record as governor, Gore said Texas leads the nation in the number of people who have no health insurance. “If he’s saying he’s a reformer with results, where are the results?” Gore asked.

Bush, after touring the medical center here, said he was focusing on community health centers because they provide a basic safety net for the poorest of the poor.

There are about 3,000 such centers nationwide, serving about 11 million people, 4.4 million of whom have no insurance. Although the centers provide free or low-cost health care, the services are limited to things like vaccinations, disease screening and prevention.

But even some of those who toured with Bush questioned whether his new plan would be effective.

“The $3.6 billion sounds like a lot of money until it’s divided up,” said Robert W. Edmonds, medical director of Grace Hill.

After the speech, one reporter told Bush that his proposals sounded like a Democratic plan.

“No, this makes sense,” Bush said.

Also Wednesday, Gore planned to have a private dinner at the vice president’s mansion with Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, who recently bolted from the Reform Party. The two had breakfast last month in Minnesota, and Wednesday’s meeting set off renewed speculation about the role Ventura and his supporters could play in the presidential race.

Gore aides said the meeting was arranged at Ventura’s request.