Alexi Giannoulias on Health Care

Reform it and fix it: negotiate drug rates for Medicare

KIRK: That's right.

Q: Mr. Giannoulias, will stand by health care reform as passed by the Congress?

GIANNOULIAS: Look, the health care bill was far from a perfect vehicle. That being said, I think it did some important things that the congressman wants to repeal. The denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions, making sure that kids in between college and their first job have health care. And I think morally we shouldn't have 51 million Americans without affordable, basic health care. But again, there's a lot more to be done. I would have loved to have seen a provision there to negotiate drug rates for Medicare the way that the VA does.

KIRK: By the way, coverage of pre-existing conditions was in our bill.

GIANNOULIAS: The difference is he wants to repeal it, I want to reform it and fix it and make sure that it works for small businesses and their families.

Ban denial of coverage; cover preventative care

I have outlined a very clear set of priorities to improve the health care system and reduce costs. I want to see reform that would achieve five goals while remaining budget neutral or deficit-reducing:
1. eliminate the ability of an insurance company to deny coverage because of a pre-existing condition;
2. end hand-outs to insurance companies;
3. drive down the costs of prescription drugs;
4. cover preventative care and computerizing health care records to reduce medical errors; and
5. give Americans the ability to compare plans so that they can choose the most affordable option.

Increase competition via a public option

The final bill should require that insurance companies immediately stop discriminating against Americans with preexisting conditions, rather than allowing a three-year grace period before they must comply.

Supports quality, affordable health care for all

Supports government-run healthcare.

The Christian Coalition voter guide [is] one of the most powerful tools Christians have ever had to impact our society during elections. This simple tool has helped educate tens of millions of citizens across this nation as to where candidates for public office stand on key faith and family issues.

The CC survey summarizes candidate stances on the following topic: "Federal government run health care system"