Susan Collins in 2020 ME Senatorial race

On Health Care: 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.

On Health Care: 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.

On Health Care: 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.

On Jobs: For Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act

Collins: The disproportionate impact of the pandemic on older Americans emphasizes the need for protections, especially against age discrimination. I cosponsored the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, which would restore critical age discrimination protections and make it easier for older employees to prove that they are the victims of age discrimination in the workplace.

On Social Security: Foundation of retirement income for most Americans

Collins: I have consistently adhered to specific principles about Social Security. The first is that it's the foundation of retirement income for most Americans. Supplemented by savings, it has made the difference between poverty & a comfortable standard of living for millions of Americans. I am committed to keeping Social Security strong & to rectifying an inequity that hurts public employees who do not receive the Social Security benefits that they have earned.

On Education: Allow employers to help pay employee student debt

Susan Collins: Yes. Co-sponsored legislation to fund need-based grants to low-income students and to allow employers to help pay employee student debt.

Sara Gideon: Yes. Will work to "lower the cost of college and tackle the student loan debt crisis." Sponsored education funds for low-income adults with minor children.

On Immigration: Co-sponsored bill for path to citizenship for DREAMers

Susan Collins: Yes. Co-sponsored bipartisan legislation to provide a path to citizenship for "Dreamers."

Sara Gideon: Yes. Urged Maine's congressional delegation to support the DREAM Act, with conditional legal status for undocumented youth.

On Health Care: Helped pass law lowering drug prices, speeding generics

On Principles & Values: Nine is good number for seats on Supreme Court