Universal coverage; no Medicare cuts; no tax increase
Q: What policies would you support to make health care more affordable--particularly for the 50-64 age population?
SUPPORTS Affordable coverage for individuals age 50-64.
SUPPORTS Guarantee that Medicare benefits will be protected in any healt
care reform legislation.
SUPPORTS Closing the Part D coverage gap.
A: While I have been a long-time supporter of AARP, and will be eligible for membership myself next year, AARP's recent endorsement of the House health care reform bill, which will
include over $500 billion in Medicare cuts and over $300 billion in new taxes, is misguided. If elected as your next United States Senator, I will only vote for a health care bill that: (1) provides universal coverage; (2) minimizes costs; (3) does not
include a single dime of cuts to Medicare; (4) does not raise taxes; and (5) does not saddle our grandchildren with multiple trillions of dollars of debt. For more information on my unique 12-Point Plan for Health Care Reform, please visit my web site.
Increase consumer choice and control for longterm care
Q: How would you shift long-term care services and financing so that people can afford to stay in their homes and communities as long as appropriate?
SUPPORT Increasing consumer choice and control for people needing longterm care.
SUPPORT Improving standards and incentives for quality care.
SUPPORT Providing family caregiving initiatives, such as respite care.
A: The candidate chose not to make additional comments.
Source: 2009 AARP Voter Guide: MA Senate
Dec 1, 2009
Voted NO on limiting self-employment health deduction.
The Santorum (R-PA) amdt would effectively kill the Kennedy Amdt (D-MA) which would have allowed self-employed individuals to fully deduct the cost of their health insurance on their federal taxes.
Status: Amdt Agreed to Y)53; N)47
Reference: Santorum Amdt #1234;
Bill S. 1344
; vote number 1999-202
on Jul 13, 1999
Voted NO on increasing tobacco restrictions.
This cloture motion was on a bill which would have increased tobacco restrictions. [YES is an anti-smoking vote].
Status: Cloture Motion Rejected Y)57; N)42; NV)1
Reference: Motion to invoke cloture on a modified committee substitute to S. 1415;
Bill S. 1415
; vote number 1998-161
on Jun 17, 1998
Voted NO on Medicare means-testing.
Approval of means-based testing for Medicare insurance premiums.
Status: Motion to Table Agreed to Y)70; N)20
Reference: Motion to table the Kennedy Amdt #440;
Bill S. 947
; vote number 1997-113
on Jun 24, 1997
Voted YES on blocking medical savings acounts.
Vote to block a plan which would allow tax-deductible medical savings accounts.
Status: Amdt Agreed to Y)52; N)46; NV)2
Reference: Kassebaum Amdt #3677;
Bill S. 1028
; vote number 1996-72
on Apr 18, 1996
