State of Michigan Archives: on Health Care

Mike Parson: Will expand Medicaid but be vigilant against fraud and waste

Gary Peters: Against voucher system & raising Medicare eligibility age

Gary Peters: Prevent companies from keeping generic drugs off the market

Peters: I've advanced legislation that would lower the cost of drugs by allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices. This would increase transparency, keep drug companies accountable and lower drug prices. I introduced a bill that would require manufacturers to pay rebates to Medicare when prices for Part B drugs rise higher than inflation. I support legislation to prevent brand-name drug companies from keeping generic drugs off of the market by creating a monopoly.

Gary Peters: COVID: $20 billion to states, nursing homes, care facilities

A: As ranking member on the Homeland Security & Government Affairs Committee, I introduced a bill to provide $20 billion to help states, nursing homes and intermediate care facilities contain the spread of the coronavirus. I also released a report on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on residents and workers in nursing homes. I will do all I can to protect our seniors and those who work tirelessly to keep them safe, both now & when we make it through these challenging times.

John James: Fix the parts that give too many decisions to the government

John James: Politicians stuff their pockets with drug company money

James: I will hold drug companies accountable for their prices. I won't just deliver the tough talk. I will deliver results for Michigan families that need prescription drugs and suffer because most D.C. politicians are more concerned with stuffing their pockets and their bank accounts with profits from drug companies.

John James: Medicare for All terrible; barely paying for Medicare now

Gretchen Whitmer: Fund Planned Parenthood, improve rural access to care

Access to care in rural Michigan by enlisting technology, bringing people together, and harnessing the incredible talent of our state to find solutions to the challenges faced by rural hospitals and care providers.

Bill Schuette: Replace ObamaCare with private insurance

Bill Schuette (R): Repeal ACA. Replace with private insurance. "ACA violated the very first principal of medicine: Do no harm." Has called to cut state's Medicaid expansion, now says settled law. Calls Medicaid work requirements "the welfare reform of the 21st century."

Gretchen Whitmer (D): Supports ACA. Opposes work requirements for Medicaid; "we should be expanding."

Gretchen Whitmer: No work requirements for Medicaid; expand it instead

Bill Schuette (R): Repeal ACA. Replace with private insurance. Calls work requirements "the welfare reform of the 21st century."

Gretchen Whitmer (D): Supports ACA. Held "Save Healthcare" rallies and led state Senate negotiations for Medicaid expansion. Opposes work requirements, which remove coverage "when we should be expanding."

John James: Remove the monstrosity of ObamaCare

John James (R): Repeal. Will work to "remove this monstrosity [ACA]." Also "supports efforts to defund abortion providers like Planned Parenthood."

Debbie Stabenow (D): Supports ACA but with improvements.

Bill Schuette: End Medicaid expansion and put in work requirement

[BS]: "The fact is the federal funds were not indefinite. Mike Shirkey and I are working together on putting a requirement in of a work requirement for Medicaid. It's an important cultural requirement that you further reinforce the significance of work. And it would be a more efficient government and save the state and taxpayers money.

Abdul El-Sayed: Supports universal healthcare

Gretchen Whitmer: Support Medicaid expansion

Bob Young: ObamaCare destroys jobs

Bob Young: ObamaCare should be repealed to increase competition

A: My view is you go back to the marketplace. For example why do we prevent competition of insurers across state lines. That's absurd. I want as much competition because we know one thing: When you have competition you have downward price pressure.

Marcia Squier: Expand ObamaCare towards universal health care

A: Support--if this means universal health care, which I strongly support over health insurance laws requiring people to have policies.

Bob Young: The federal government broke our health care system

Marcia Squier: Universal single-payer healthcare is the way to go

A: I really feel the move for single pay, in other words universal healthcare, Medicare for all, public option, all of those are the same thing and I think those are the way to go.

Abdul El-Sayed: Public health suffers when you run government as a business

Jack Bergman: Number one priority is to repeal ObamaCare

Congress must also pass the REINS Act, which grants Congress the power to vote down major cost-inducing regulations and end harmful government bureaucracies that are strangling the economy of Upper Michigan.

Brenda Lawrence: ObamaCare is sound policy, but deal with consequences

Brenda Lawrence: I support ObamaCare and think it is sound policy. I do believe that there are amendments that could be made to resolve some of the unintended consequences, particularly for small business owners. However, the republicans do not want do discuss improving ObamaCare, they continue to attempt to repeal it.

Marcia Squier (Green Party): I think the Affordable Care Act should be repealed. I would instead extend the age requirement for Medicare to include all ages of people, from cradle to grave. I would include full coverage for all, with income-based deductibles for care and prescriptions. I would also include dental, vision, mental health, and chiropractic care because we all need and deserve to be healthy and no one else should die because of a lack of health insurance.

Marcia Squier: Repeal ObamaCare & replace with full coverage for all

Marcia Squier: I think the Affordable Care Act, ObamaCare, should be repealed. I would instead extend the age requirement for Medicare to include all ages of people, from cradle to grave. I would include full coverage for all, with income-based deductibles for care and prescriptions. I would also include dental, vision, mental health, and chiropractic care because we all need and deserve to be healthy and no one else should die because of a lack of health insurance.

Rep. Brenda Lawrence (Dem.): I support ObamaCare and think it is sound policy. I do believe that there are amendments that could be made to resolve some of the unintended consequences, particularly for small business owners. However, the republicans do not want do discuss improving ObamaCare, they continue to attempt to repeal it.

Dave Trott: Repeal & replace the onerous ObamaCare law

Mike Bishop: Fought against ObamaCare from the start

Mike Bishop: Replace ObamaCare with patient-centered reforms

Bishop: Strongly Disagree.

Q: Should ObamaCare be repealed by Congress?

Bishop: Strongly Agree. The number one concern on the minds of families and businesses in the district is the rising cost of healthcare. We need to work on reforms that will make healthcare affordable and accessible, and not by mandating a government-managed marketplace. We need to repeal ObamaCare and replace it with patient-centered reforms.

Terri Lynn Land: Pre-tax health savings accounts & cross-states insurers

The former Michigan secretary of state said she opposes forcing people to have insurance under the law but also supports parts of the measure such as keeping intact protections for people with pre-existing conditions and requiring hospitals to publish a list of their standard charges. "There has to be a better way," Land said in a statement released in conjunction with putting the proposed principles for "real healthcare reform" on her campaign website. "I favor a different approach."

Terri Lynn Land: Fix ObamaCare so Michiganders can keep insurance as promised

Asked directly whether she no longer supported repealing ObamaCare, Land responded that her previous support for defunding ObamaCare "was a way to get the conversation going."

"We're past this now," she said. "We need to now fix this," referring to the Upton bill. "I supported defunding the ObamaCare law when that was an option. President Obama and Congressman Peters promised that Michiganders could keep their insurance and their promise has been broken. I support the Upton bill to fix ObamaCare in the short term if that is what it takes to stop 225,000 people in Michigan from losing their insurance. Washington is broken and we need leaders who are ready to make the tough decisions."

Gary Peters: AdWatch: Targeted by RNC robocalls for support of ObamaCare

The targets besides Peters are Rep. Bruce Braley (IA), Sens. Mark Warner (VA), Mark Begich (AK), Dick Durbin (IL), Kay Hagan (NC), Mary Landrieu (LA), Jeff Merkley (OR), Mark Pryor (AR), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), and Mark Udall (CO). The robocall script reads:

"President Obama and the Democrats said you could keep your healthcare plan under ObamaCare. Now we know [SENATOR] actually VOTED to make it more difficult. Call [SENATOR] at (XXX)-XXX-XXX & ask why [he/she] lied."

The robocalls are a response to Democrats launching the "GOP Shutdown Watch" campaign, highlighting Republican senate candidates who supported the partial federal government shutdown.

Terri Lynn Land: Embrace threat of federal shutdown to defund ObamaCare

Others to embrace the plan include former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel (R), former Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land (R), who is the likely Republican nominee to run for retiring Sen. Carl Levin's (R-Mich.) seat, and Alaska Tea Party candidate Joe Miller (R).

GOP operatives say there's little downside for candidates to embrace the "defund" movement--especially those who are facing primary opponents. For Senate candidates who aren't already in Congress, especially, there's little political danger.

Rick Snyder: Get communities more involved in mental health courts;

Gretchen Whitmer: Require insurers to treat autism like other conditions

• terminate coverage or refuse to deliver coverage solely because an individual is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
• limit the number of visits an insured person may use for treatment of autism spectrum disorders
• deny or limit coverage on the basis that treatment is educational or habilitative in nature.
• subject coverage under this section to dollar limits, copays, deductibles, or coinsurance provisions that do not apply to physical illness.

Legislative Outcome:Sen. Whitmer voted YEA; passed Senate 29-9-0, March 13; passed House 91-19-0, March 29; became law without governor's signature, April 19.

John Moolenaar: Don't require insurers to treat autism like other conditions

• terminate coverage or refuse to deliver coverage solely because an individual is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
• limit the number of visits an insured person may use for treatment of autism spectrum disorders
• deny or limit coverage on the basis that treatment is educational or habilitative in nature.
• subject coverage under this section to dollar limits, copays, deductibles, or coinsurance provisions that do not apply to physical illness.

Legislative Outcome:Sen. Moolenaar voted NAY; passed Senate 29-9-0, March 13; passed House 91-19-0, March 29; became law without governor's signature, April 19.

Rashida Tlaib: Require insurers to treat autism like other conditions

• terminate coverage or refuse to deliver coverage solely because an individual is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
• limit the number of visits an insured person may use for treatment of autism spectrum disorders
• deny or limit coverage on the basis that treatment is educational or habilitative in nature.
• subject coverage under this section to dollar limits, copays, deductibles, or coinsurance provisions that do not apply to physical illness.

Legislative Outcome:Rep. Tlaib voted YEA; passed Senate 29-9-0, March 13; passed House 91-19-0, March 29; became law without governor's signature, April 19.

Rick Snyder: Improve cost, quality and access with wellness & prevention

Rocky Raczkowski: Repeal ObamaCare

The two candidates have become cartoon caricatures of their respective parties. Peters gets painted as a flaming liberal who kowtows to the "socialist" liberal agenda and Raczkowski is deemed a tin-foil hat wearing ultra right-wing lunatic. Case in point: this Freep summation of their positions on the only other 3 issues in this election:

• Health care reform
  Peters: Supported
  Raczkowski: Wants to repeal
• Gays in the military
  Peters: Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy
  Raczkowski: Keep the policy
• Federal enforcement of medical marijuana laws
  Peters: Wants Michigan voters' legalization of medical marijuana implemented without federal interference
  Raczkowski: Wants no further expansion of medical marijuana law

John McCain: Control health costs so manufacturers stay competitive

A: I agree with that, but I think we in Washington have an absolute requirement to bring health care costs down. The differential between Toyota and General Motors [due to healthcare costs affects each cars’ cost by] $1,700. It’s our responsibility to stop the cost aspects of health care, which is endangering the profitability and the competitiveness of our Detroit workers. So of course they have to do it on their own. But it is our job to create a climate where we have both a safe and secure Social Security system but also health care costs under control so that they can be competitive with foreign products. By the way, there are automobile manufacturers moving in the southern part of this country, as you know, that are doing very well because American workers are the most productive in the world.

Mike Huckabee: Individually-controlled insurance, not government SCHIP

A: The president was caught in a tough political battle. Unfortunately, the issue wasn’t about children; the issue was about political posture. Many of the kids who would be covered under the expanded SCHIP are people who already have insurance. If I were president, I would never let that get to the point where that’s the only option you have.

Q: But if it got there, would you have vetoed the bill?

A: I’m not absolutely certain that that’s going to be the right way. There’s a real problem in the health care issue where Democrats say they want the government to control it. Some Republicans say, we want private insurance or businesses to control it. The real answer is: let individuals control their own, and let them own it. That’s the real need, because I don’t trust government and I don’t trust the insurance companies. I trust me with my health care.

Mitt Romney: Same tax treatment if people buy insurance without employers

Mitt Romney: Get everybody insured with state-based market dynamics

1. We’re going to have states create their own plans. We did it in our state, and it’s working. We’re not going to have the federal government tell them how to do it.
2. We’re not going to spend more money. Hillary Clinton’s plan costs $110 billion. Mine says, let’s use the money we’re already spending a little more wisely.
3. Instead of having the federal government give you government insurance, Medicare and federal employee insurance, let’s have private insurance.

Debbie Stabenow: Health coverage needs to be a right, not a privilege

STABENOW: Healthcare coverage needs to be a right, not a privilege. I’ve been laser focused on working with auto industry to more adequately and effectively to lower costs of prescription drugs. I’ve worked bi-partisan to allow you to bring prescription drugs back from Canada legally.

BOUCHARD: I do not support universal healthcare that the government. But we can and should do many things - such as tort reform.

Mike Bouchard: No government-run universal healthcare

STABENOW: Healthcare coverage needs to be a right, not a privilege. I’ve been laser focused on working with auto industry to more adequately and effectively to lower costs of prescription drugs. I’ve worked bi-partisan to allow you to bring prescription drugs back from Canada legally.

BOUCHARD: I do not support universal healthcare that the government. But we can and should do many things - such as tort reform.

Mike Bouchard: Supports Health Savings Accounts to empower individuals

John Engler: No assisted suicide; but End of Life Care & more pain relief

Today, modern medicine can relieve even the most severe physical pain. Tonight, I propose that we increase access to effective pain management throughout Michigan. I will work with this legislature to remove barriers to pain relief so that the end of life can be dignified, and the physical and emotional suffering can be eased.

I also urge all Michigan citizens to engage in a caring conversation with their family and loved ones concerning their wants and wishes for end of life care. Each and every one of us deserve to have our wishes known and honored.

Mike Bishop: Guaranteed medical care is not a government responsibility

Bishop indicates support of the following principles regarding health issues.
• Transfer more existing Medicaid recipients into managed care programs.
• Support a patient's right to sue his or her HMO.
• Support a patient's right to appeal to a board of specialists when services are denied.
• Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
• Allow health care providers and health care facilities to refuse services to which they morally object.

Alan Keyes: AIDS is a moral crisis based on licentious behavior

Steve Forbes: Fight AIDS by changing people’s personal behavior