State of Rhode Island secondary Archives: on Health Care


Allan Fung: The CBO validated fears of Obamacare being a job killer

Fung responded to the CBO's analysis [Congressional Budget Office] of the ACA and projected job losses as a result of the program, referring to Obamacare as a "job killer." The candidate stated that he work with the state legislature and health care providers to reduce its impact on small business & working class families. "I have been fearful of the economic impact and the CBO has now validated our concern about job losses & reductions of hours as a result of the Obamacare mandates," stated Fung.
Source: Facebook posting on 2018 Rhode Island gubernatorial race Feb 5, 2014

Allen Waters: Lower healthcare costs by transparency & competition

Q: How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?

A: We need to lower costs through a market based, cost transparent healthcare system encouraging competition among providers and insurers, better access to services and expanded personal choice while protecting the sick and the poor. The solution for health care reform is repealing Obamacare, and replacing it with a more fiscally responsible block grant to the states. Block grants allowing states to design their own healthcare programs and make regulatory decisions that adjust to the needs of their marketplaces. Medicaid recipients would have a choice to opt-out and enroll in private health coverage of their personal choice. Individuals and families should have the final say in the type of coverage they receive, and HSAs (Health Savings Accounts) should be changed to enabling healthcare consumers to use them with greater flexibility in meeting their wants and needs.

Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 Rhode Island Senate race Nov 3, 2020

Ashley Kalus: COVID testing contract leads to dispute with the state

Kalus's company is slated to begin closed-door mediation proceedings with the R.I. Department of Health over the firm's COVID-19 testing contract with the state. Doctors Test Centers, which Kalus started with her husband early in the pandemic, won a nearly $8 million testing contract from Rhode Island. By January, the relationship between company executives and state health officials had deteriorated, as both sides threatened legal action and law enforcement became involved.
Source: WPRI on 2022 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race May 2, 2022

Bobby Nardolillo: Repeal and replace Obamacare

I support the current talk of Patient Centered Healthcare Solutions and the push for Free-Market resolution of the costs for such care. I have followed the plans developed in the US House of Representatives and I am optimistic that a replacement plan for Obamacare will be made an Act of Congress and implemented long before I could be fortunate enough to become a Member of the Senate.
Source: 2018 Rhode Island Senatorial website Bobby4Senate.com Oct 1, 2017

Dan McKee: Universal access to health insurance for children

Source: Governor press release "Rhode Island 2030" Oct 15, 2021

Dan McKee: Extend Medicaid coverage for new moms to 12 months

I am proud to propose that we cover all kids in Medicaid--we've done it before, let's do it again. Let's also extend Medicaid coverage for new moms from 60 days after birth to 12 months. It's the right thing to do--let's get it done. In addition, for the first time in decades, let's expand the income eligibility threshold for families to access the Child Care Assistance Program and let's continue our investments in early education retention bonuses.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to Rhode Island legislature Jan 18, 2022

Gina Raimondo: Reinvent Medicaid: expand and improve access

One year after Governor Gina M. Raimondo established the Working Group to Reinvent Medicaid, Rhode Island is positioned to expand and improve access to quality care and reduce costs. The state is projected to achieve over $100 million of annual Medicaid savings without cutting eligibility or reducing benefits. These reforms protect and expand vital health services and shift the state's Medicaid system toward a structure that rewards better outcomes, better coordination and higher-quality care.

"While there is more work to do, Rhode Island is up to the challenge of expanding access to quality health care and controlling costs," Raimondo said. "We could have kicked the can down the road. Instead, we worked with the legislature to pass a comprehensive, progressive package of reforms that transforms our system to reward quality. Our reforms will ensure more Rhode Islanders have access to important health care services."

Source: PR: Rhode Island voting record: Reinventing Medicaid Act Feb 26, 2016

Gina Raimondo: Almost 97% insurance rate through state health exchange

When I became governor, we decided to keep running our own state health exchange instead of giving it to the federal government. Because of that decision--and a lot of hard work--almost 97% of Rhode Islanders have health insurance. That's higher than almost any other state. While premiums are increasing across the country, here in Rhode Island most premiums will decrease this year on our exchange. No one should have to choose between going to the doctor and buying groceries.
Source: 2020 Rhode Island State of the State address Jan 14, 2020

Luis-Daniel Munoz: COVID: Must do more to vaccinate blacks & Latinos

Luis Daniel Mu&?ntilde;oz said that reaching proportional vaccination rates is not enough. "Black people and Latinos between the ages of 34 and 44 are three times more likely to be hospitalized compared to white individuals 74 to 85 years of age. When you look at that risk from an equity standpoint, one would say that that population should have relatively more vaccines allocated to them based on the increased risk. But in Rhode Island you can't even get an equal proportion."
Source: Brown Daily Herald on 2022 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race Apr 9, 2021

Mark Zaccaria: Repeal ObamaCare; it's not a government responsibility

Question topic: It is the government's responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income.

Zaccaria: Strongly Disagree

Question topic: The Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) should be repealed by Congress.

Zaccaria: Strongly Agree

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Rhode Island Senate race Sep 30, 2014

Matt Brown: For Medicare for All, protect reproductive freedom

[Brown heads this RI coalition].
Source: GoLocalProv.com on 2022 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race Sep 22, 2021

Matt Brown: Vaccine requirement to enter public spaces, mask mandate

[Brown heads this RI coalition].
Source: GoLocalProv.com on 2022 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race Sep 22, 2021

Nellie Gorbea: Support mental health care for students, teachers, staff

??Fully support mental health care along with other emotional and behavioral health programs for students, teachers, and administrators.
Source: 2022 Rhode Island Governor campaign website NellieGorbea.com Jun 26, 2022

Patricia Morgan: Let physicians practice across state lines & skip red tape

Rhode Island is having a crisis of access to physicians and patient care. Rhode Island has cut Medicaid reimbursement rates and many doctors have lost their private practices; this all leads to fewer medical options for patients. Patricia believes that physicians are a critical and vital component to the health and wellness of our residents. As such, in 2017 Patricia introduced H5671, H5672 & H5673. These bills will allow doctors freedom of choice in maintaining their professional licenses, will grant reciprocal licenses for physicians in other states and establish a process to license these physicians.

Summary from RIPhysicians.org: Most physicians feel that the Maintenance Of Certification (MOC) is irrelevant to practice and keeps us from our patients. H5671 seeks to reduce physician burnout by minimizing the time and money required of physicians by private out of state companies to practice medicine in RI, through adopting an anti-MOC law

Source: PatriciaForRI.com on Rhode Island voting record H5671/2/3 Mar 21, 2018

Seth Magaziner: Supports expanding the Affordable Care Act

Americans are struggling to pay their bills. Seth will focus on creating good jobs and lowering costs so that families can make ends meet. That means:
Source: 2022 Rhode Island House campaign website SethMagaziner.com Jun 19, 2022

  • The above quotations are from State of Rhode Island Politicians: secondary Archives.
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2016 Presidential contenders on Health Care:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI)
Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023