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Martha Coakley on Health Care
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System is broken and needs to be fixed now
Promises to be the 60th "yea" vote, assuring passage of the health-care bill. She says the system is broken and needs to be fixed now."We do not have transparency, competition,"
Coakley said at the debate. "We do not have, for the money we spend now, the type of health care we can and should have."
Source: Nancy Reardon, Quincy Patriot-Ledger: 2010 MA Senate debate
, Jan 14, 2010
Individual mandate with public insurance option
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: I will work to expand access to those without insurance coverage by supporting: an individual mandate and a public insurance option that will complement the existing employer-
sponsored insurance framework by providing coverage to those that lack it, a change in payment incentives so that we no longer reward volume and complexity, and greater transparency of health care cost and quality information. I believe that doctors and
patients--not insurance companies--should be in charge of health care decisions. Any health care reform package [should] preserve and strengthen Medicare, give seniors improved quality and access to care, and provide prescription drugs at lower prices.
Source: 2009 AARP Voter Guide: MA Senate
, Dec 1, 2009
Target enforcement against corrupt long term care facilities
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: I support shifting long-term care services and financing so that people can afford to stay in their homes and
communities as long as they are able. I believe in programs that encourage the growth of quality care for seniors, and incentives that promote the growth of home caregiving services, such as respite care, to ease the burden on families caring for loved
ones in their home. Finally, as Attorney General, I targeted enforcement actions against corrupt long term care facilities, and as Senator, I will support legislation to strengthen oversight of the long term care workforce.
Source: 2009 AARP Voter Guide: MA Senate
, Dec 1, 2009
Require health insurance to cover abortion
The Stupak amendment, the controversial abortion-related provision in the House health care bill, has placed abortion rights center stage. While all of the top contenders for the nomination support abortion rights--not to mention th
a health care overhaul--the debate surrounding the amendment has nevertheless emerged as a key issue. State Attorney General Martha Coakley laid down the first marker by declaring soon after the House vote last week that she wou
the bill because of the amendment restricting the sale of insurance policies covering abortion through the proposed national health insurance exchange--or to women who receive health care subsidies from the federal government. Asked
with a Boston radio station whether she would have voted for the bill, Coakley said, "I believe that I would not. I think that this particular amendment that was put in is really a poison pill for that bill, and it's taking two ste
Source: Politico.com, "Stupak amendment"
, Nov 9, 2009
Expand coverage; improve quality; reduce costs
The American health care system is broken and the time to fix it is now. Martha supports comprehensive health care reform now because America cannot afford to wait. As Attorney General, Martha filed lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies and health
insurers that drive up health care costs. Martha believes health care reform should build on the successes we've had in Massachusetts and focus on accomplishing three key goals: (1) expanding coverage; (2) improving quality; and (3) reducing costs.
Source: 2010 Senate campaign website, marthacoakley.com, "Issues"
, Oct 1, 2009
Pushed Pfizer to pay $15M for Medicare fraud
Attorney General Coakley's Office reached an agreement with pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer, resolving allegations that the company engaged in improper marketing practices to promote the sales of a variety of its drugs. Under the terms of this landmar
settlement, Pfizer will pay $14,728,408 to the Massachusetts Medicaid Program, which provides funds for health care products and services to eligible low-income individuals, including people with disabilities, children and elder citizens. This is the
largest national settlement in history in a health care fraud matter [totaling $700M in 9 states]."This settlement sends a strong message to the pharmaceutical industry and to the broader healthcare community that illegal and improper practices will
not be tolerated," said Coakley. "State and federal prosecutors take very seriously their responsibility to police the Medicaid program, and we will continue to work together to identify and root out fraud and abuse in the health care industry."
Source: Press release on Attorney General website, www.mass.gov
, Sep 2, 2009
Require drug manufacturers to disclose risks
Attorney General Coakley applauded the US Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in Wyeth v. Levine. "The Supreme Court recognized the critical role that states play to ensure that drug manufacturers disclose risks promptly," said Coakley.The case involved
Diane Levine, who was given Wyeth's anti-nausea drug, Phenergan. In April 2000, Levine received Phenergan through the "IV Push" method, and the drug was mistakenly injected into an artery, causing injuries that led to the amputation of her right arm belo
the elbow. A jury awarded Levine $6.8 million, on grounds that Wyeth failed to provide adequate warnings about the IV Push method.
In the past year, AG Coakley's office has settled several state law consumer protection cases against pharmaceutical
companies, including a $58 million multistate case against Merck relating to painkiller Vioxx; a $62 million case against Eli Lilly relating to antipsychotic drug Zyprexa; and a $60 million case against Pfizer relating to anti-inflammatory drug Bextra.
Source: Press release on Attorney General website, www.mass.gov
, Mar 4, 2009
Page last updated: Jul 20, 2017