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Sarah Palin on Health Care
Republican Governor (AK); ; nominee for Vice President
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Greater competition, more choices, and less litigation
In this chamber, we share a commitment to serious health-care reform. We've learned from experience that all the answers do not come from Washington. When Congress turns to health-care reform this year,
we look to our delegation to make the case for greater competition, more private sector choices, and less litigation in the health-care market. But we're not going to wait. Here, reform can move forward without delay.
Source: Alaska 2009 State of the State Address
Jan 22, 2009
Health Care Commission recommends habits against obesity
We have alarming levels of heart disease, diabetes, childhood obesity--and all of these maladies are on the rise. Now, I won't stand here and lecture--for very long--but health care reform on an individual basis is often just this simple: we could save
a lot of money, and a lot of grief, by making smarter choices.It starts by ending destructive habits, and beginning healthy habits in eating and exercise. In my case, it's hard to slack when you have the ever-present example of an Iron Dogger nearby.
But many of us could use a little more time in our great outdoors--and when you live in the Great Land, there's no excuse.
Protecting good health is largely a matter of personal responsibility, but government policy can help.
Our new Alaska Health Care Commission will recommend changes that affect the well-being of Alaskans far into the future.
Source: Alaska 2009 State of the State Address
Jan 22, 2009
$5,000 tax credit for families to buy their own coverage
Q: Governor, are you interested in defending Sen. McCain’s health care plan?PALIN: I am. He’s proposing a $5,000 tax credit for families so that they can get out there and they can purchase their own health care coverage. That’s budget neutral.
That doesn’t cost the government anything as opposed to Barack Obama’s plan to mandate health care coverage and have a universal government-run program. McCain also wants to erase those artificial lines between states so that through competition,
we can cross state lines and if there’s a better plan offered somewhere else, we would be able to purchase that. So affordability and accessibility will be the keys.
BIDEN: You know how John McCain pays for his $5,000 tax credit a family will get?
He taxes as income every one of you who has a health care plan through your employer. You’re going to have to replace the plan you get through your employer--which averages $12,000--with a $5,000 check. I call that the “Ultimate Bridge to Nowhere.”
Source: 2008 Vice Presidential debate against Sen. Joe Biden
Oct 2, 2008
FactCheck: Obama’s plan does not remove private insurance
Palin also said that Obama’s plan would be “universal government run” health care and that health care would be “taken over by the feds.” That’s not the case at all.
As we’ve said before, Obama’s plan would not replace or remove private insurance, or require people to enroll in a public plan. It would increase the offerings of publicly funded health care.
Source: FactCheck.org on 2008 Vice Presidential debate
Oct 2, 2008
FactCheck: McCain’s plan costs $14B/year; not budget-neutral
Palin claimed that McCain’s health care plan would be “budget-neutral,” costing the government nothing. Palin said McCain is “proposing a $5,000 tax credit for families so that they can get out there and they can purchase their own health care coverage.
That’s a smart thing to do. That’s budget neutral. That doesn’t cost the government anything--a $5,000 health care credit through our income tax, that’s budget neutral.”The McCain campaign hasn’t released an estimate of how much the plan would cost,
but independent experts contradict Palin’s claim of a cost-free program.
The nonpartisan U.S. Budget Watch’s fiscal voter guide estimates that McCain’s tax credit would increase the deficit by somewhere between $288 billion to
$364 billion by the year 2013, and that making employer health benefits taxable would bring in between $201 billion to $274 billion in revenue. That nets out to a shortfall of somewhere between $14 billion to $163 billion--for that year alone.
Source: FactCheck.org on 2008 Vice Presidential debate
Oct 2, 2008
Signed up as organ donor; Alaska leads the states
Gov. Palin today applauded the milestone that more than half of Alaska residents--335,033 people--have signed up to be organ and tissue donors. Alaska is the first state with a donor registry to enroll more than half of its state’s population.
The Governor, First Gentleman and their two oldest children are organ and tissue donors. “I am proud that so many residents recognize the life-giving benefits of organ and tissue donation,” Governor Palin said. “Their willingness to donate demonstrate
the selfless and generous nature of Alaskans.“
April is National Donate Life Month. Every day in April, people across the U.S. make a special effort to celebrate the tremendous generosity of those who have saved lives by
becoming organ, tissue, marrow, and blood donors. Life Alaska Donor Services is the tissue donation organization serving the State of Alaska, offering the option of donation to families who have suffered a death.
Source: Alaska Governor’s Office: Press release 08-057 “Organ Donor”
Apr 11, 2008
Health care must be market-and business-driven
Governor Sarah Palin today introduced the Alaska Health Care Transparency Act which will provide more effective tools to help Alaskans access affordable health care, and to ensure our health care system is responsive to changing demographics and market
conditions. The bill would establish an Alaska health care information office to give consumers factual information on quality, cost and other important matters to help them make better-informed decisions about health care in the state.
Recognizing that health care must be market-and business-driven, rather than restricted by government, Governor Palin is proposing a repeal of the Certificate of Need program (CON). CON is a regulatory process that requires certain health care providers
to obtain state approval before offering certain new or expanded services. [Palin’s administration] concluded that the CON program does not benefit the citizens of Alaska, given the litigious environment surrounding it.
Source: Alaska Governor’s Office: press release, “Transparency”
Jan 19, 2008
Take personal responsibility for personal health & all areas
Together, let’s provide the services that our Constitution requires, constitutional services such as education, public safety, and a solid infrastructure--and let’s do them right. Let’s commit to take responsibility for good stewardship when we’re
developing our natural resources. Let’s remember that Alaskans are capable and created to work. So when government provides education and job training, every able-bodied Alaskan is expected to work and not simply rely on government to provide.
Let’s take personal responsibility in all areas of life--including health. What we consume and engage in impacts not just our personal health, but our communities too.Let’s reign in government growth so individual liberty and opportunity can expand.
And let’s expect that every region contributes to our economy, to fulfill our promise to be a self-sufficient state made up of the hardest working, most grateful Americans in our nation.
Source: 2008 State of the State Address to 25th Alaska Legislature
Jan 15, 2008
Doctors should manage health care, not bureaucracies
I established our Health Care Strategies Council and we’ll pursue many of their recommendations, starting with our Health Care Transparency Act, requiring that consumers get better information about prices and quality of their own care.
We will allow competition. Under our present Certificate of Need (CON) process, costs and needs don’t drive health care choices--bureaucracy does! Our system is broken and expensive. We propose, as many states have, eliminating the
CON, to increase choice and to manage rising costs. Currently nine CON lawsuits are adversely affecting consumers. Alaskans want health care in the hands of doctors, not lobbyists and lawyers.
We are considering what other fiscally conservative states have done to incentivize employers to provide medical insurance for employees, based on the free market.
Source: 2008 State of the State Address to 25th Alaska Legislature
Jan 15, 2008
Personal responsibility & choices key to good health
Our choices often lead to heart disease, diabetes, underage drinking, drugs, violence, and abuse. Soaring health and public safety costs are sometimes unfairly passed on to others.
But more importantly, by ignoring or accepting selfish choices that cause the abuse, children, families and entire communities are destroyed. Government cannot cure all ills.
And don’t assume more laws foisted on Alaskans are the only answer--most “bad activity” is already illegal. We have got to make wise, healthy personal choices, including choosing not to ignore child abuse.
I’m counting on families, communities and faith-based groups to step up, together, to help passionately here, too.
Source: 2008 State of the State Address to 25th Alaska Legislature
Jan 15, 2008
Flexibility in government regulations to allow competition
I look forward to working with affected parties to find the necessary solutions that will lead to more affordable health care for Alaskans. I support flexibility in government regulations that allow competition in health care that is needed,
and is proven to be good for the consumer, which will drive down health care costs and reduce the need for government subsidies. I also support patients in their rightful demands to have access to full medical billing information.
Source: Campaign website, www.palinforgovernor.com, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
More affordable health care via competition
HEALTH CARE - Obviously, high medical costs are hurting Alaskans and our Medicaid budget has quadrupled in the past 10 years. Solutions to this problem are complex, and no one person has all the answers.
I look forward to working with affected parties to find the necessary solutions that will lead to more affordable health care for Alaskans.
I support flexibility in government regulations that allow competition in health care that is needed, and is proven to be good for the consumer, which will drive down health care costs and reduce the need for government subsidies.
I also support patients in their rightful demands to have access to full medical billing information.
Source: Palin-Parnell campaign booklet: New Energy for Alaska
Nov 3, 2006
Page last updated: Feb 08, 2010