ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, October 28, 1996 TAG: 9611010097
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
MEMO: ***CORRECTION***
Published correction ran on Nov. 1.
Corrections
The answers that Tom Roberts, the Virginia Independent/Reform Party
candidate for Congress in the 9th District, gave to health care
questions in Monday's and Wednesday's paper were reversed.
To Monday's question on access to health care, his answer should have
been: "There are no easy answers for how do we look after the basic
needs of those in our community who are least wealthy. To lower the cost
of medications, I advocate product liability reform, promotion of 'mail
order medication,' and protection of our current right to choose our
medical provider to enhance competition and lower prices."
To Wednesday's question about health care costs, his answer should
have been: "Due to the federally mandated spending imposed on the State
of Virginia, our Virginia legislature has imposed a moratorium on the
construction of all but a few nursing homes. Less nursing homes equals
less competition equals higher costs. I advocate eliminating the
mandates."
D - Democrat
R - Republican
L - Libertarian
VIP - Virginia Independent Party/Reform Party
What policy or policies do you advocate that will address the McCoys' concerns that they will have to live the rest of their lives worrying about getting medicines that the doctors say they need?
FOR U.S. SENATE
Mark Warner (D)
``I supported the Kennedy-Kassebaum health insurance portability bill to make sure that people won't lose their insurance when they change jobs. I also believe that through public-private partnerships, like the Virginia Health Care Foundation, we can provide health services to uninsured Virginians in community-based efforts. The Health Care Foundation has helped clearly 40,000 Virginians, and I will take that approach to the Senate.''
John Warner (R)
``There is no reason why the McCoys, if they are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid should not have the cost of their prescription drugs covered. Changes made in the Medicare Catastrophic Health Insurance Act of 1986 extended coverage to include Medicaid coverage for prescription drugs, hospital co-payments, and physician deductibles not paid for by Medicare for persons who have no other health insurance coverage.''
FOR 5TH DISTRICT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Virgil Goode (D)
``The cost of medication continues to be a serious concern for many people. I am proud that Virginia has the most extensive network of free clinics of any state in the nation and these clinics are able to assist truly needy persons with the cost of medicines.''
George Landrith (R)
``Strengthening and preserving Medicare is more than just making sure it does not go bankrupt - we must also provide seniors with more and better choices. Seniors should be able to keep their present Medicare plan or choose others that include prescription drug coverage and other benefits. Rather than having only one set of benefits, we should permit seniors to choose a package that best meets their needs.''
Tex Wood (VIP)
``On the one hand, we have [citizens] who need at times medical care. On the other hand, we have those medical people who can provide it. In between we have the insurance companies raking in huge profits and obsence salaries because we have to go through them to get health care, and they do not treat even a hangnail. We don't mind enough to do anything about it.''
FOR 6TH DISTRICT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bob Goodlatte (R)
Cites the health care bill which Congress passed, and the president signed, this year. ``Thanks to our bill, a person moving from one job to another cannot be kept off the health care plan at the new employer because of a pre-existing medical condition. This includes pre-existing conditions for all family members. Our plan to save and improve Medicare and Medicaid helps the McCoys by making both more efficient and better able to meet seniors' health needs.''
Jeff Grey (D)
``My plan provides Medicare recipients with a 'drug card' that would allow them to purchase prescribed pharmaceuticals at a wholesale cost. The ability to buy these medicines at a wholesale cost would help folks like the [McCoy's] get the medical care they need.''
Jay Rutledge (L)
``The government monopoly of drug certification must be ended. Corporate and government drug czars rig this 'regulatory process' to protect corporate profits and bureaucratic budgets. The result is insanely high prices and biased certifications. Competition among certifying labs having a self-interest incentive to disclose fully the most accurate information will dramatically improve access to better drugs at lower prices.''
FOR 9TH DISTRICT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Rick Boucher (D)
``Medicare should cover the cost of prescription medicines which for many seniors can exceed $200 per month, particularly when multiple medications are required.''
Patrick Muldoon (R)
``Only market forces can control health care costs. Lower costs mean easier access. Health care providers should compete for the American worker's and senior's Medicare and Medicaid dollars. With affordable health care choices, the McCoys, and not Washington bureaucrats, can tailor their health care to suit their personal needs.''
Tom Roberts (VIP)
``Due to the federally mandated spending imposed on the state of Virginia, our Virginia legislature has imposed a moratorium on the construction of all but a few nursing homes. Less nursing homes less competition higher costs. I advocate eliminating the mandates.''
LENGTH: Long : 114 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS CONGRESSSby CNB