FL Senate debate: on Health Care


Betty Castor: Fight for a meaningful prescription drug plan

Q: Do you approve of Bush's attempt to reduce the cost of prescription drugs?

CASTOR: The new Medicare law did plenty to enrich the drug companies, but nothing to actually lower drug costs for most seniors. In fact, the new law actually tied Medicare's hands from negotiating for lower prices and it denied our seniors the right to buy high-quality, low-cost drugs from Canada. The government should be required to negotiate for the lowest prices possible. And seniors should get help locating safe and affordable drugs in Canada, until they can get them here at home. I will fight for a meaningful prescription drug plan - one that gives seniors real savings, and doesn't make false promises.

MARTINEZ: I support Bush's plan to provide prescription drug benefits to millions of Americans. It is a good first step in lowering the costs of prescription drugs for seniors. I support any good idea to reduce drug costs so long as we can assure the safety of the drug supply for patients.

Source: Florida Senate Debate, Q&A by Associated Press

Mel Martinez: Support Bush's plan to provide prescription drug benefits

Q: Do you approve of Bush's attempt to reduce the cost of prescription drugs?

CASTOR: The new Medicare law did plenty to enrich the drug companies, but nothing to actually lower drug costs for most seniors. In fact, the new law actually tied Medicare's hands from negotiating for lower prices and it denied our seniors the right to buy high-quality, low-cost drugs from Canada. The government should be required to negotiate for the lowest prices possible. And seniors should get help locating safe and affordable drugs in Canada, until they can get them here at home. I will fight for a meaningful prescription drug plan - one that gives seniors real savings, and doesn't make false promises.

MARTINEZ: I support Bush's plan to provide prescription drug benefits to millions of Americans. It is a good first step in lowering the costs of prescription drugs for seniors. I support any good idea to reduce drug costs so long as we can assure the safety of the drug supply for patients.

Source: Florida Senate Debate, Q&A by Associated Press

Betty Castor: Expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research

I think we should do everything we can do to expand stem cell research .
Source: Florida Senate Debate, in St. Petersburg Times

  • The above quotations are from Florida Senate debate: Mel Martinez (R) vs. Betty Castor (D), Oct. 18, 2004.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Health Care.
  • Click here for more quotes by Mal Martinez on Health Care.
  • Click here for more quotes by Betty Castor on Health Care.
Other candidates on Health Care:
George W. Bush
Dick Cheney
John Edwards
John Kerry

Third Party Candidates:
Michael Baradnik
Peter Camejo
David Cobb
Ralph Nader
Michael Peroutka


Democratic Primaries:
Carol Moseley Braun
Wesley Clark
Howard Dean
Dick Gephardt
Bob Graham
Dennis Kucinich
Joe Lieberman
Al Sharpton
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