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Karen Handel on Health Care
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ObamaCare overreaches, but feds should address healthcare
A candidate who has called for a "full repeal" of the Affordable Care Act--characterizing it as an "overreaching federal program"--once argued in favor of a federal health care solution. David Perdue spoke of the need for a federal solution to the
nation's high uninsured rate in 2006 at a meeting of the Retail Industry Leaders Association: "It's a tragedy that so many people are uninsured," Perdue said, adding that he did not want the issue left to the states: "It needs to be addressed at the
federal level."A spokesman for Perdue's campaign said that there was no conflict in Perdue's previous support for the idea of a federal health care law and his current opposition to ObamaCare. "David supports the full repeal of ObamaCare,"
the spokesman said. "However, he along with many other Republicans recognize that there are issues that must be addressed at the federal level. For example, Georgia Congressman Dr. Tom Price has a great patient-centered alternative to replace ObamaCare."
Source: Huffington Post on 2014 Georgia Senate race
, Mar 10, 2014
ObamaCare canceled my wife's policy & doubled premiums
Perdue has been critical of the health care law throughout his Senate bid. The candidate's website calls it "an overreaching federal program that will actually reduce the quality of health care and increase costs."
In January, Perdue wrote in a blog post that he and his wife's health insurance was canceled and their insurance premium doubled because of the Affordable Care Act.
"We did not have a 'substandard' plan with a second rate company," Perdue wrote. "We had done our research and picked a plan that met our needs.
However, our federal government, in its infinite wisdom, decided that we grandparents needed maternity coverage among other things."
Source: Huffington Post on 2014 Georgia Senate race
, Mar 10, 2014
Embrace threat of federal shutdown to defund ObamaCare
Nearly every Republican candidate running for Senate in 2014 backs the GOP's push to use the threat of a government shutdown to defund ObamaCare--a sign of how popular they believe the plan is with conservative primary voters. Those supporting the GOP
strategy include North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis (R), the GOP frontrunner to face Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.), who said he supported the GOP's brinkmanship because ObamaCare is a "mortal threat to our economy."Others to embrace the plan include
former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel (R), former Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land (R), who is the likely Republican nominee to run for retiring Sen. Carl Levin's (R-Mich.) seat, and Alaska Tea Party candidate Joe Miller (R).
GOP operatives say there's little downside for candidates to embrace the "defund" movement--especially those who are facing primary opponents. For Senate candidates who aren't already in Congress, especially, there's little political danger.
Source: The Hill on 2014 Georgia Senate debate
, Sep 22, 2013
ObamaCare forces insurance plans to provide contraceptives
Under ObamaCare, nearly all insurance plans must provide contraceptives without a co-pay. Before anyone jumps to the conclusion that I am against all contraception, let me say that I am not. What I am against is forcing this mandate on religious
organizations. It is a flagrant infringement on religious liberty and conscience. I also question why contraceptives would be available without co-pays when actual life-saving medicines, such as drugs to combat diabetes or to treat cancer, are not.
Source: Planned Bullyhood, by Karen Handel, p. 160
, Sep 11, 2012
Supports free-market system; opposes single payer system
Karen supports flexibility with Medicare and Medicaid dollars, a consumer-driven, free-market based system, and portable coverage that isn't tied to the employer. In addition to this, she supports tax deductibility for employees, not just employers, and
safety nets for the truly impoverished and those who are mentally or physically not able to care for themselves. Karen also supports 21st century initiatives to increase utilization of health information technology, including e-prescriptions
and electronic health records. She is adamantly opposed to a government-run "single payer system" preferred by many Democrats and European countries. In defense of her views,
Karen points to the influx of Canadian patients seeking quality care in the U.S. to avoid the long waits and care rationing that a single payer system creates.
Source: 2013 Senate campaign website, karenhandel.com, "Issues"
, Aug 1, 2010
Page last updated: Aug 29, 2017