Q: Do you support Means Testing, where higher income seniors will have to pay more for their doctors’ services?
A: The recent showdown between Congress and the Bush Administration over Medicare payments to doctors revealed archaic programmatic formulas
and outdated approaches that don’t make sense. Instead of relying on frequent band-aid bailouts, Mark will support innovative efforts to protect Medicare for future generations through such concepts as the “medical home” model, in which doctors
and patients spend more time together. By paying doctors more up front per Medicare patient, the program can save money over the long term because doctors will be less likely to turn patients away
(leaving the expensive emergency room as the only option) or to simply refer patients to pricey specialists.
Privatization undermines the integrity of Medicare
Mark Begich believes the privatization attempts authorized in MMA could seriously undermine the integrity of the Medicare program. They also will significantly hurt older Americans living in rural areas that have limited access to doctors that would be w
Q
Source: Senior Citizens League Guide to the 2008 US Senate Campaigns
Oct 10, 2008
Increase Medicare reimbursements and affordable health care
Alaska needs a senator who will address the unique health care needs of Alaskans--the higher costs, doctor shortages and distances required to travel for proper medical care.
He will work to reduce health care costs for Alaskans by increasing Medicare reimbursements and work for guaranteed affordable health care for all.
Source: Campaign website, www.begich.com, “Issues”
May 21, 2008
Favors expanding Alaska’s Denali KidCare program
As mayor, Mark oversees the health care program for 3,000 Anchorage city employees. Shortly after taking office, he directed a take-over of the municipal health insurance program, savings taxpayers money and reducing the growth in costs. With about 20% o
Alaskans living on the edge with no health insurance, he believes America’s health care system needs a major overhaul. He favors expanding Alaska’s Denali KidCare program which provides health care to 25,000 children and low income pregnant women.
Source: Campaign website, www.begich.com, “Issues”
May 21, 2008
Voted YES on regulating tobacco as a drug.
Congressional Summary:Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to provide for the regulation of tobacco products by the Secretary of Health and Human Services through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Defines a tobacco product as any product made or derived from tobacco that is intended for human consumption. Excludes from FDA authority the tobacco leaf and tobacco farms.
Opponent's argument to vote No:Rep. HEATH SHULER (D, NC-11): Putting a dangerous, overworked FDA in charge of tobacco is a threat to public safety. Last year, the FDA commissioner testified that he had serious concerns that this bill could undermine the public health role of the FDA. And the FDA Science Board said the FDA's inability to keep up with scientific advancements means that Americans' lives will be at risk.
Proponent's argument to vote Yes:
Rep. HENRY WAXMAN (D, CA-30): The bill before us, the Waxman-Platts bill, has been carefully crafted over more than a decade, in close consultation with the public health community. It's been endorsed by over 1,000 different public health, scientific, medical, faith, and community organizations.
Sen. HARRY REID (D, NV): Yesterday, 3,500 children who had never smoked before tried their first cigarette. For some, it will also be their last cigarette but certainly not all. If you think 3,500 is a scary number, how about 3.5 million. That is a pretty scary number. That is how many American high school kids smoke--3.5 million. Nearly all of them aren't old enough to buy cigarettes. It means we have as many boys and girls smoking as are participating in athletics in high schools. We have as many as are playing football, basketball, track and field, and baseball combined.
Reference: Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act;
Bill HR1256&S982
; vote number 2009-S207
on Jun 11, 2009
Voted YES on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program.
Congressional Summary:
Reauthorizes State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) through FY2013 at increased levels.
Gives states the option to cover targeted low-income pregnant women
Phases out coverage for nonpregnant childless adults.
Proponent's argument to vote Yes:
Rep. FRANK PALLONE (D, NJ-6): In the last Congress, we passed legislation that enjoyed bipartisan support as well as the support of the American people. Unfortunately, it did not enjoy the support of the President, who vetoed our bill twice, and went on to proclaim that uninsured children can simply go to the emergency room to have their medical needs met. As the Nation moves deeper into a recession and unemployment rates continue to rise, millions of Americans are joining the ranks of the uninsured, many of whom are children. We can't delay. We must enact this legislation now.
Opponent's argument to vote No:Rep. ROY BLUNT (R, MI-7):
This bill doesn't require the States to meet any kind of threshold standard that would ensure that States were doing everything they could to find kids who needed insurance before they begin to spend money to find kids who may not have the same need. Under the bill several thousands of American families would be poor enough to qualify for SCHIP and have the government pay for their health care, but they'd be rich enough to still be required to pay the alternative minimum tax. The bill changes welfare participation laws by eliminating the 5-year waiting period for legal immigrants to lawfully reside in the country before they can participate in this program. In the final bill, we assume that 65% of the children receiving the benefit wouldn't get the benefit anymore. It seems to me this bill needs more work, would have benefited from a committee hearing. It doesn't prioritize poor kids to ensure that they get health care first.
Reference: SCHIP Reauthorization Act;
Bill H.R.2
; vote number 2009-S031
on Jan 29, 2009
Expand the National Health Service Corps.
Begich signed Access for All America Act
A bill to achieve access to comprehensive primary health care services for all Americans and to reform the organization of primary care delivery through an expansion of the Community Health Center and National Health Service Corps programs. Amends the Public Health Service Act to:
increase and extend the authorization of appropriations for community health centers and for the National Health Service Corps scholarship and loan repayment program for FY2010-FY2015, and provide for increased funding for such programs in FY2016 and each subsequent fiscal year; and
revise and expand provisions allowing a community health center to provide services at different locations, adjust its operating plan and budget, enter into arrangements with other centers to purchase supplies and services at reduced cost, and correct material failures in grant compliance.
