ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, November 1, 1996 TAG: 9611010075
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
What policy or policies do you advocate that will address the Epperleys' concerns that entitlement programs will be cut so much that it won't cover the health care needs of someone like them?
FOR U.S. SENATE
Mark Warner (D)
``It is unrealistic to believe that we can balance the budget, offer a massive tax cut and protect entitlements all at the same time. Last year, my opponent's plan included huge cuts in Medicaid and Medicare in order to finance a tax cut with half the benefits going to people making more than $100,000 per year. That plan was wrong and I opposed it. Medicare needs reform, but if we wait until our fiscal house is in order before we try these massive tax cuts, we can balance the budget without doing damage to Medicare and other entitlements.''
John Warner (R)
``Thanks to the bi-partisan actions of President Reagan and the Congress in 1983, the Social Security program will remain strong well into the next century, providing needed benefits to families like the Epperlys. The Medicare program, however, is in serious need of reform. The program is on the verge of bankruptcy. Despite the political hay being made over Medicare this election year, I am confident that next year Congress will authorize a bi-partisan commission to make recommendations, and a long-term solution will be found.''
FOR 5TH DISTRICT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Virgil Goode (D)
``Social Security and Medicare must be defended for those who have paid into the system and depend on these initiatives either for their retirement or should they become disabled. At the same time, we need to increase our efforts to reduce administrative costs and root out waste, fraud and abuse so that more of the money spent actually helps people.''
George Landrith (R)
``We can strengthen and preserve Medicare and Social Security without cutting off coverage and benefits to those who are in need. We must control fraud, waste and abuse. We should allow seniors to keep 10-15 percent of the savings they find in their bills. Additionally, we must make sure that Social Security is treated like a true trust fund so that its funds are not constantly raided and spent by government on other things.''
Tex Wood (VIP)
``The two parties we have lemming-like sent repeatedly to D.C. sack the Social Security trust fund, unload our nationally owned natural resources for pennies on the dollar to multinational corporations, give away 400-year-old trees for the price of a Big Mac, ad infinitum et nauseum. And we wonder why Epperly worries about entitlement programs. Until we send other people to D.C., we'll get what we've been getting.''
FOR 6TH DISTRICT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bob Goodlatte (R)
``Protecting and improving key health care programs like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security disability for folks like the Epperlys is one of my most important priorities. Instead of scaring seniors as some politicians are doing, I supported the Medicare Preservation Act which increases health care spending for each retiree by 35 percent, goes after abuse and fraud and holds the line on exploding health care costs.''
Jeff Grey (D)
``My balanced budget plan allows the government to pay back Social Security. Medicare should be left as the 'Trust Fund' that it was intended to be. I will create a waste, fraud and abuse hotline for the sole purpose of reporting Medicare fraud and waste. My plans will keep these programs solvent and provide the current level of benefit coverage.''
Jay Rutledge (L)
``I want to fix Social Security permanently by auctioning federal property, paying debt, buying guaranteed annuities to provide income for those now retired and near retirement, and repealing the income tax. The $1,000 in interest on debt now paid annually for every man woman and child in the U.S. will be lifted from our backs. The 15 percent of income now taken for Social Security will be invested in private retirement accounts out of politicians hands. Worries about Social Security cuts will then be permanently allayed.''
FOR 9TH DISTRICT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Rick Boucher (D)
``I strongly oppose any reduction in Social Security benefits and any eduction in services for the recipients of Medicare or Medicaid.''
Patrick Muldoon (R)
``Medicare is a promise made to our seniors and we must ensure its solvency. Providing additional choices such as Medical Savings Accounts and managed care to our present system, reducing waste and eliminating fraud will ensure that Medicare is adequate, effective and financially solvent for the next generation, not just the next election.''
Tom Roberts (VIP)
``Over the past 14 years while Congress has doubled its own pay, given itself million-dollar pensions and wonderful health care plans, Congress has allowed Social Security and Medicare systems to become insolvent again. If elected I will do all that is in my power to make these plans solvent again and state the facts in clear and understandable language to the 9th District.''
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS CONGRESSby CNB