2020 ME Senatorial race: on Health Care

Sara Gideon: Strongly oppose raising Medicare eligibility age

Gideon: We've taken steps in the state House to protect our seniors, by restoring Maine's low-cost prescription drug program and passing legislation to prevent insurance companies from overcharging seniors for health care. I will strongly oppose efforts to raise the Medicare eligibility age. I'll work to cap out-of-pocket costs of prescription drugs for seniors on Medicare and continue to champion the Affordable Care Act, which closed the Medicare donut hole.

Sara Gideon: Let Medicare negotiate drug prices; allow imports

Gideon: I'll fight to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices, to cap out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs for seniors on Medicare and to work to implement the low-cost drug importation program on the federal level that we've already passed in Maine.

Susan Collins: Improve advance transparency on medical billing

A: Congress needs to take steps to improve Medicare's financial condition. We should improve transparency so that patients know in advance the cost of any medical procedure or prescription drug. Another way to achieve program savings is to combat the high cost of prescription drugs. That's why I support putting a cap on the out-of-pocket costs that seniors pay under the Medicare program. We can also help reduce costs by assisting seniors in managing diseases such as diabetes.

Susan Collins: Authored law letting pharmacists help patients save money

Collins: I've authored multiple laws to help Americans struggling with the high cost of medications, including a law that bans 'gag clauses,' which prevented pharmacists from telling their patients when there might be a way to save money on their prescriptions. I support promoting competition, increasing transparency and banning the anticompetitive practices such as pay-for-delay. I support capping the amount that seniors pay out of pocket for prescription drugs.

Susan Collins: Strong supporter of home care

Collins: Expanded access to home health care allows many seniors to stay right where they want to be: in the comfort, privacy and security of their own homes. I've always been a strong supporter of home care. My Home Health Planning Improvement Act was recently signed into law as part of the COVID-19 response. It will improve Medicare beneficiaries' access to home health care, removing needless delays.

Sara Gideon: Let government negotiate to lower cost of drugs

Susan Collins: Helped pass law lowering drug prices, speeding generics

Sara Gideon: Complete the work started under Affordable Care Act

Sara believes we need to complete the work we started under the Affordable Care Act and in the Senate, she will fight to:
• Expand access to quality and affordable health care to every person including those with pre-existing conditions;
• Allow anyone to choose to buy into Medicare through a newly created public option, while preserving the choice for those who like their private insurance to keep it; and
• Crack down on big drug companies to lower the cost of prescription drugs.

Sara Gideon: Reduce prescription costs; protect pre-existing conditions

Sara Gideon: Public option for Medicare, but not Medicare-for-All