Stacey Abrams on Health Care

	Stacey Abrams on Health Care Democratic Gubernatorial Challenger (GA); 2020 Veepstakes contender

Disaster preparedness includes global pandemic preparation

We should press candidates on their commitment to the urgent issue of true disaster preparedness. That requires a plan to strengthen public health systems in every state and vulnerable community. To do so requires a consistent, appropriate funding stream that is not subject to ideological whims or propaganda. Our international obligations should be central to this renaissance.

In 2018, Trump effectively dismantled the Obama-era global health insurance system. The objective--to understand how viruses move beyond borders and to prepare a communications and response strategy for transitional health crises--had its genesis in the nation's multilateral engagement in the Ebola virus. Swift, worldwide action had not only accelerated treatments to countries facing infection, it slowed transmission to other nations, including the United States.

COVID-19 demands immediate response to defeat an intercontinental enemy to our health, our economies and our futures.

Source: Our Time Is Now, by Stacey Abrams, p.259-60 , Jun 9, 2020

ObamaCare navigators explain new health insurance systems

As a part of the [ObamaCare] rollout, states received generous allocations of dollars to fund the navigators, trained personnel deployed to neighborhoods to explain how to traverse the complex systems of health insurance that would now require mandatory compliance. In Georgia, the issue was particularly acute: the state had one of the highest uninsured rates in the nation. Every state participates in Medicaid, the low income health program that shares costs between the states and the federal government. Because the program is mainly run by the states, qualification differs depending on where you live. In Georgia, Medicaid does not cover childless, low income adults, regardless of their poverty level, and it only covers working parents who make less than 50% of the federal poverty level or approximately 9765 a year for a family of three in 2013. We cheered when the Affordable Care Act plans included coverage for the working poor through the Medicaid expansion program. Source: Our Time Is Now, by Stacey Abrams, p. 46-7 , Jun 9, 2020

Increase production for coronavirus testing; expand Medicaid

I think what Congress has put in place, the investment in testing equipment and funding for our front-line workers, especially for our hospitals, is critical. I would also be encouraging states like Georgia and the other southern states and Midwestern states that have refused to expand Medicaid to do so immediately. Part of testing is making sure people trust that they can go and be tested. And right now, there is an inadequate equipment, an inadequate strategy. We should increase production. Source: NBC Meet the Press interview for 2020 Veepstakes , Apr 26, 2020

His personal debt was from caring for father with cancer

Part of my campaign was about health care, in part because I believe in it and I believe we need it, but I also got hit because of my personal debt. My personal debt was created in part because my father has cancer. And it is expensive to help take care of an elderly gentleman with cancer. And so, I believe that the answer on health care is not a question of which plan; it's, do you have a plan and are you willing to make certain the answer and the solution is real. Source: National Press Club Remarks: 2022 Georgia Governor election , Nov 15, 2019

Protect progress of ObamaCare, instead of lawsuits

Rather than suing to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, as Republican Attorneys General have, our leaders must protect the progress we've made and commit to expanding health care and lowering costs for everyone.

My father has battled prostate cancer for years. To help cover the costs, I found myself sinking deeper into debt--because while you can defer some payments, you can't defer cancer treatment. In this great nation, Americans are skipping blood pressure pills, forced to choose between buying medicine or paying rent. Maternal mortality rates show that mothers, especially black mothers, risk death to give birth. And in 14 states, including my home state where a majority want it, our leaders refuse to expand Medicaid, which could save rural hospitals, economies, and lives.

Source: Democratic response to 2019 State of the Union speech , Feb 5, 2019

Medicaid expansion for reduced cost & preexisting conditions

Q: President Obama hit the trail for your campaign in Georgia this week. He recently made headlines after calling Medicare-for-All a "good new idea." You have not expressed support for Medicare-for-All. Do you think President Obama is wrong?

ABRAMS: I don't think that he's wrong. I think that, as a national conversation, there certainly should be an ongoing review of what Medicare-for-All can do. But a single state cannot make that change. Georgia does not have the financial capacity to provide that type of coverage. That is a federal conversation. In Georgia, we have to do the fundamentals, including the expansion of Medicaid. That's how we provide access to health care. That's how we reduce costs. That's how we protect preexisting conditions. My focus is on how I can serve Georgia, and that means a focus on Medicaid expansion.

Source: CNN interviews for 2018 Georgia Governor race , Nov 4, 2018

Paying for uncompensated care brings money back

Q: You want to expand Medicaid, under Obamacare. You say that would cost nearly $300 million-how will that get paid?

ABRAMS: Georgia spends about $1.75 billion per year on uncompensated care. That's health care costs. By expanding Medicaid, we can join states like Kentucky that cut that number in half. That's savings that will go directly into providing access. My plan is to put money back into the pockets of hardworking Georgians. And all of the plans I have proposed, which are detailed, specific, and have pay-fors, all of those programs can be done under our current budget in the state of Georgia. What's more important is that the economic benefit to our state is dramatic, thousands of more jobs, thousands of good-paying jobs, access to health care coverage, and improvement for our state overall.

Q: So, you're telling Georgia families that none of them are going to have to pay higher taxes with you as governor?

ABRAMS: I do not intend to raise taxes. That is not the necessity.

Source: CNN interviews for 2018 Georgia Governor race , Nov 4, 2018

Expand Medicaid; explore universal coverage

Stacey worked to sign Georgians up for the Affordable Care Act and she has fought for Medicaid expansion. As governor, Stacey will work to expand Medicaid and provide coverage for 500,000 Georgians, create 56,000 jobs, stabilize our rural counties and explore pathways to universal coverage in our state. Source: 2018 Georgia Governor website StaceyAbrams.com , Aug 17, 2017

Let ObamaCare plans cover abortion

Legislative Summary: A BILL relating to insurance, to provide opt out of funding abortions through qualified health plans: No abortion coverage shall be provided by a qualified health plan offered within the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act [ObamaCare], except in the case of medical emergency.

OnTheIssues Interpretation: ObamaCare requires that healthcare plans fund abortions; this state law would remove that stipulation from Georgia insurance plans offered under ObamaCare. Voting NO means abortion coverage would be required in healthcare plans.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 37-18-1 on March 18, vote #676; passed House 105-64-7 on March 18, vote #795; Rep. Stacey Abrams voted NO; signed by Gov. Deal April 21

Source: Georgia legislative voting records: SB 98 , Mar 18, 2014

Tax breaks for high deductible insurance; no aid for insured

SB383: A BILL to provide for the Commissioner of Insurance to adopt policies to promote, approve, and encourage health savings account eligible high deductible plans in Georgia; to provide for exemptions from certain unfair trade practices for certain wellness and health promotion programs, condition or disease management programs, health risk appraisal programs, and similar provisions in such plans.

Summary by the CBPP:Georgia created new tax breaks for high-deductible health plans. Almost 1.7 million Georgians--20%t of all residents under age 65--are uninsured. Almost 2/3 of them have incomes below 200% of the poverty line. Georgia's plan does not attempt to help these low-income individuals obtain insurance. Instead the plan's main target is uninsured people with incomes over $50,000.

Legislative outcome:Passed Senate 36-12-8, Vote #623 on Feb/26/08; Passed House 148-2-30, Vote #1070 on Apr/04/08; Rep. Abrams voted YES; Signed by Gov. Perdue, May/7/08.

Source: CBPP on Georgia legislative voting records: SB383 , Apr 4, 2008

Allow asbestos lawsuits before physical impairment occurs

SB182: A BILL to change provisions relating to asbestos claims and silica claims; to provide that physical impairment shall be an essential element of an asbestos claim or a silica claim; to provide for a limitations period for filing a claim.

Summary by the Mesothelioma Center: Georgia enacted a revised version of the Asbestos and Silica Litigation Reform law on May 1, 2007. Plaintiffs with asbestos-related cancers must provide evidence of physical impairment. Georgia also attempts to limit the use of information obtained from mass asbestos screenings sponsored by personal injury lawyers.

Legislative outcome: [Voting YES establishes stricter rules to file lawsuit for asbestos damage. Voting NO keeps the existing rules, allowing asbestos lawsuits before physical impairment is proven]. Passed House 156-1-23, Vote #321 on Apr/17/07; Rep. Abrams voted NO; passed Senate 36-3-17, Vote #444 on Apr/20/07; Signed by Gov. Perdue, Apr/30/07.

Source: Asbestos.com on Georgia legislative voting records: SB182 , Apr 17, 2007

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*Other governors on Health Care:*			*Stacey Abrams on other issues:*
*GA Gubernatorial:* David Perdue Kandiss Taylor Shane Hazel Vernon Jones *GA Senatorial:* Allen Buckley David Perdue Derrick Grayson Doug Collins Ed Tarver Gary Black Herschel Walker Jason Carter Johnny Isakson Jon Ossoff Kelly Loeffler Latham Saddler Matt Lieberman Raphael Warnock Shane Hazel Ted Terry Teresa Tomlinson Tom Price Valencia Stovall	*Gubernatorial Debates 2023:* KY: Incumbent Andy Beshear(D) vs.State A.G. Daniel Cameron(R) vs.Ambassador Kelly Craft(R) vs.State Auditor Mike Harmon(R) LA: Incumbent John Bel Edwards(D,term-limited) vs.Jeff Landry(R) vs.Shawn Wilson(D) vs.John Schroder(R) vs.Sharon Hewitt(R) MS: Incumbent Tate Reeves(R) vs.Bill Waller(R,withdrew) vs.Brandon Presley(D) *Gubernatorial Debates 2024:* DE: Gov. John Carney (D, term-limited); vs. Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long (D) vs. County Exec. Matt Meyer (D) vs. State Rep.Mike Ramone (R) IN: Gov. Eric Holcomb (R, term-limited); vs. Sen. Mike Braun (R) vs. Suzanne Crouch (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Eric Doden (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Attorney General Curtis Hill (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Jennifer McCormick (D) MO: Gov. Mike Parson (R, term-limited): vs. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (R) vs. State Senator Bill Eigel (R) vs. Lt.Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) vs. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D) MT: Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) vs. Ryan Busse (D) vs. State Rep. Tanner Smith (R, lost June 4 primary)	*Gubernatorial Debates 2024 (continued):* NC: Gov. Roy Cooper (D, term-limited); vs. Lt.Gov. Mark Robinson (R) vs. Attorney General Josh Stein (D) vs. Treasurer Dale Folwell (R, lost March 5 primary) vs. Justice Michael Morgan (D, lost March 5 primary) vs. State Senator Andy Wells (R,withdrew) vs. Rep.Mark Walker (R, withdrew) ND: Gov. Doug Burgum (R, retiring) vs. State Rep. Rick Becker (R) vs. U.S.Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R) vs. State Sen.Merrill Piepkorn (D) NH: Gov. Chris Sununu (R, retiring) vs. U.S.Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R) vs. Mayor Joyce Craig (D) vs. Acting Gov.Chuck Morse (R) vs. Exec.Councilor Cinde Warmington (D) UT: Gov. Spencer Cox (R) vs. State Rep. Phil Lyman (R) vs. Minority Leader Brian King (D) VT: Gov. Phil Scott (R) vs. Lt.Gov.David Zuckerman (D, withdrew) vs. Selectman Peter Duval (D) vs. Commissioner Esther Charlestin (D) WA: Gov. Jay Inslee (D, retiring); vs. Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D) vs. U.S.Rep.Dave Reichert (R) vs. State Sen. Mark Mullet (D) vs. County Chair Semi Bird (R) vs. Hilary Franz (D, withdrew to run for U.S.Rep.) WV: Gov. Jim Justice (R, term-limited) vs. WV Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R) vs. Huntington Mayor Steve Williams (D) vs. WV State Auditor JB McCuskey (R, withdrew) vs. WV Secretary of State Mac Warner (R, lost May 14 primary) vs. State Del. Moore Capito (R, lost May 14 primary)	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]