Peter Ricketts on Health Care

	Peter Ricketts on Health Care Republican Senate Challenger

People shouldn't have to choose between job and vaccination

We have been encouraging people to get vaccinated. But it should be a personal health care choice. This is not something that the government should mandate and somebody shouldn't have to make the choice between keeping their job and getting a jab in the arm. I mean, it's just wrong. I've talked to people who have told me if they made me take the vaccine, I'm just going to be fired. I'm not going to do it. Source: Fox News Sunday 2021 interview of Nebraska Governor , Sep 12, 2021

Kept state "open for business" during pandemic

We have all kept our states "open for business" and delivered food and other goods Americans need during this pandemic. Like other states, we did have to close pieces of our economies temporarily. To meet this challenge, our states moved quickly to cut red tape and allow private employers to pivot to new business models.

As we move into the next phase of managing the pandemic and consider President Trump's guidelines for "Opening Up America Again," we are applying our propensity for planning to reopen the segments of our economies that temporarily closed. Each of us has identified triggers for when regions of our states and sectors of our economies should reopen, based on metrics tailored to our unique circumstances. We are sharing expertise and best practices on how to safely reopen restaurants, churches, gyms and other businesses while continuing to slow the spread of infection.

Source: WaPo OpEd by 5 governors for 2022 Nebraska governor race , May 5, 2020

Patients can be transferred if rural hospitals not prepared

Frankly, with regard to these rural hospitals, they already transfer patients today based upon their ability to be able to handle it. So, it's a practice that's already in place, that if a hospital has a case that they don't feel like they can give the proper amount of care to, we make an arrangement to transfer to a different hospital. Source: CNN 2020 "State of the Union" on 2022 Nebraska Governor race , Mar 29, 2020

Cannot trust Medicaid federal matching grants

One of the biggest long-term risks we face is Medicaid expansion. We have wisely rejected Medicaid expansion 3 times in the past 3 years because it is an unreasonable risk to taxpayers. This government entitlement crowds out investments in tax relief, education, and roads--things we need to grow our state. We also know that we cannot trust the federal government to keep the commitments it makes when it comes to spending. A 90% federal match is not sustainable in the federal government budget. Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Nebraska legislature , Jan 14, 2016

Oppose ObamaCare and oppose Medicaid expansion

OPPOSE OBAMACARE: Pete opposes ObamaCare and stands with Governor Heineman and the Nebraska Legislature in opposing Medicaid Expansion in Nebraska. Source: 2014 Nebraska Governor campaign website, PeteRicketts.com , Nov 4, 2014

Supports health savings accounts & limiting lawsuits

Establish limits on the amount of punitive damages awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
Offer tax credits to individuals and small businesses to offset the cost of insurance coverage.
Support automatic enrollment of children in federal health care programs such as CHIP and Medicaid.
"I support expanding health savings accounts."

Source: 2006 Congressional National Political Awareness Test , May 2, 2006

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*Other candidates on Health Care:*		*Peter Ricketts on other issues:*
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