Al King on Health Care

Privatize with individually purchased catastrophic insurance

Health care is becoming unaffordable as a result of three factors: increased costs for technology, malpractice and health care administration. New expensive treatments for cancer, transplants, end of life heroics should be privatized with individually purchased catastrophic insurance. Basic coverage would then be affordable. Attorney fees in malpractice cases must be limited as in worker's compensation. Government over-regulation must stop. Nurses devote 1 hour of paperwork for 2 hours of patient care Source: DemocracyNet Issue Statements Aug 17, 2004

Allow suing HMOs

Support a Patient's Bill of Rights which includes appeal mechanisms when claims are denied.
Support a Patient's Bill of Rights which includes the right to sue when claims are denied.
Offer tax credits to individuals and small businesses to offset the cost of insurance coverage.

Source: 2004 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Aug 15, 2004

Limit attorney fees in medical malpractice cases

Expand eligibility for tax-free medical savings accounts.
Establish limits on the amount of punitive damages awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
Support expanding prescription drug coverage under private managed care plans.
King says, "For medical damage claims, LIMIT ATTORNEY FEES AS IN WORKER COMPENSATION CLAIMS. Individuals wanting "end of Life heroics" [should] purchase private insurance."

Source: 2004 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Aug 15, 2004

Limit legal fees in malpractice cases

Three factors affect health care costs: technology, malpractice insurance and litigation and health care administration. Private individual insurance for catastrophic illnesses could relieve costs to provide affordable basic coverages. Attorney fees in malpractice cases must be limited as in worker's compensation laws. Government over-regulation must stop. Source: Campaign website, KingForSenate.com, "Issues" May 18, 2004

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