John Neely Kennedy on Health Care Democratic Senate Challenger (LA)

Allow drug re-importation and bulk purchasing

I’ll work hard every day to reduce the cost of health care, health insurance and prescription drugs and make certain that all Americans and all Louisianians have affordable access to quality medical treatment.
• Allow Americans to buy prescription drugs from Canada and other countries online or by mail.
• Allow the federal government to receive volume discounts for the purchase of pharmaceutical drugs, just like Wal-Mart, HMO’s, the Veterans Administration, the Department of Defense and state Medicaid programs do already.
• Allow and encourage small businesses to form purchasing pools in order to purchase health insurance at a lower price.
• Cut the red tape that keeps generic drugs off the market through reform of our patent laws. The average brand name drug costs $72. The average generic drug costs $17.
• Expand the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
• Provide more funding for Wellness Programs and Lifestyle Management Programs.

Refundable tax credit for the uninsured

Here’s what we need to do:
• Provide a refundable tax credit that the uninsured can only use to buy health insurance. Much of the cost of this program will be offset by the $38 billion a year spent in federal tax monies we now spend to pay hospitals for treating the uninsured in their emergency rooms.
• Give all Americans access to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program-the same health insurance provided to members of Congress and other federal workers.

Allow gov’t workers options for Medicare-only tax

Big Tobacco is Too Big of a Risk-divest tobacco settlement

In the meantime, Big Tobacco has other legal challenges to contend with. The tobacco industry is under fire from the federal government and over 100 private plaintiffs.

The state’s annual payments are tied to consumption figures. In fact, payments are already below original projections. By maintaining the status quo, we’re gambling on Big Tobacco’s future. It’s too big of a risk! I believe the state should begin taking steps today to put into place a mechanism to lessen our risks by selling all or a portion of the state’s income.

Supports Congressionally repealing Affordable Care Act.

The American Family Association Action Voter Guide asked if candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Congress should repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).' American Family Association Action (AFA Action) produces the online "iVoterGuide" for selected state and federal races. The mission of AFA Action is to inform and mobilize individuals to strengthen the biblical foundations of America.