Health Care: 2016 contenders' views

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FactCheck.org analysis of 2008 primary debates

FactCheck.org analysis of 2007 primary debates

FactCheck.org analysis of 2008 campaign ads

Living History, by Hillary Rodhan Clinton

Saving Lives and Saving Money: Transforming Health and Healthcare, published Sept. 2003

2011 Republican primary debate on Twitter.com, July 21, 2011

The Unique Voice of Hillary Clinton

To Save America: Stopping Obama's Secular-Socialist Machine, by Newt Gingrich

Ten Letters, by Eli Saslow

2010: Take Back America, by Dick Morris & Eileen McGann

Mitt Romney: An Inside Look, by R.B. Scott

Do the Right Thing, by Mike Huckabee

Core of Conviction, by Rep. Michele Bachmann (R, MN)

Survey of 2012 Presidential contenders' campaign websites

Governor Tim Pawlenty: The Sam's Club Republican, by J. A. McClure

Obamanomics: How Barack Obama Is Bankrupting You, by Timothy P. Carney

No Apology, by Gov. Mitt Romney

Leadership and Crisis, by Bobby Jindal

Quit Digging Your Grave With a Knife and Fork, by Mike Huckabee

Hillary's Choice, by Gail Sheehy

The Battle for America 2008, by Dan Balz and Haynes Johnson

2011 FactCheck

The Promise: President Obama, Year One, by Jonathan Alter

Lessons Learned the Hard Way, by Newt Gingrich

The Revolution: A Manifesto, by Ron Paul, published April 2008

Real Change, by Speaker Newt Gingrich

Obamanomics, by John R. Talbott, published July 1, 2008

The Obama Nation, by Jerome Corsi

Obama's Challenge, by Robert Kuttner

Can't Is Not an Option: My American Story, by Gov. Nikki Haley

Newt! Leader of the Second American Revolution, by Dick Williams

A Mormon in the White House, by Hugh Hewitt

Mitt Romney: The Man, His Values and His Vision, by Lisa Ray Turner and Kimberly Field

For Love of Politics: Bill and Hillary Clinton: The White House Years, by Sally Bedell Smith

From Hope to Higher Ground, by Gov. Mike Huckabee

Time to Get Tough, by Donald Trump

Game Change, by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin

Do Not Ask What Good We Do, by Robert Draper

Courage to Stand, by Tim Pawlenty (Jan. 11, 2011)

The Contenders, by Laura Flanders et al.

The Case for Hillary Clinton, by Susan Estrich

The Audacity of Hope, by Barack Obama

Agenda For America, by Gov. Haley Barbour (R, MS)

Survey of Gubernatorial campaign websites, 2001-2009

FactCheck.org analysis of 2007 campaign ads

Survey of 2004 Senate campaign websites

A Woman in Charge, by Carl Bernstein

Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy, by Amanda Carpenter

The Natural, by Joe Klein

It Takes a Family, by Rick Santorum (April 30, 2006)

It Takes A Village, by Hillary Clinton

Seven Principles of Good Government: Gary Johnson

To Renew America, by Newt Gingrich

The Real Romney, by Kranish & Helman

Barack Obama in His Own Words, by Barack Obama, edited by Lisa Rogak

Santorum vs. Gingrich On the Issues, by Jesse Gordon of OnTheIssues.org

Obama vs. Paul On the Issues, by Jesse Gordon of OnTheIssues.org

Romney vs. Obama On the Issues, by Jesse Gordon of OnTheIssues.org

Gingrich vs. Paul On the Issues, by Jesse Gordon of OnTheIssues.org

Bachmann vs. Palin On the Issues, by Jesse Gordon of OnTheIssues.org

Barack Obama For Beginners, by Bob Neer

My Life, by Bill Clinton

Liberty Defined, by Ron Paul (April 19, 2011)

Hillary Clinton: The Inside Story, by Judith Warner

Barack Obama: This Improbable Quest, by John K. Wilson

Friends in High Places, by Webb Hubbell

Her Way, by Jeff Gerth & Don Van Natta

God and Hillary Clinton: A Spiritual Life, by Paul Kengor

Giving, by Bill Clinton

The Freedom Agenda, by Senator Mike Lee

Fed Up!, by Rick Perry (Nov. 15, 2010)

Courage and Consequence, by Karl Rove

Contract with America, by Gingrich and Armey

Condi vs. Hillary: The Next Great Presidential Race

Character Makes a Difference, by Mike Huckabee

Change We Can Believe In

CEO of SELF, by Herman Cain

Living Beyond Your Lifetime: How to be Intentional about the Legacy You Leave, by Mike Huckabee

The America We Deserve, by Donald Trump

America by Heart, by Sarah Palin

The Agenda: Inside the Clinton White House, by Bob Woodward

Fact-checking on the 2012 Presidential and Senatorial races

2012 FactCheck

FactCheck.org analysis of 2010 political speeches

FactCheck.org analysis of 2009 political speeches

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Democratic
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Pres.Barack Obama
V.P.Joe Biden
Secy.Hillary Clinton

GOP
Challengers:
Gov.Mitt Romney (MA)
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Rep.Ron Paul (TX)

Third-Party Challengers:
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GOP Primary Candidates:

Gov.Sarah Palin (AK)
Gov.Buddy Roemer (AE)
Rep.Virgil Goode (C)

Joe Biden on Health Care

Vice President; previously Democratic Senator (DE)

Click here for 30 full quotes by Joe Biden OR click here for Joe Biden on other issues.

Those near doughnut hole you get $600 more for Rx benefits. (Oct 2012)
Medicare gives seniors choice, even if Rx prices negotiated. (Oct 2012)
Advised delaying ObamaCare while busy avoiding Depression. (May 2010)
Modernize, simplify & expand health insurance. (Nov 2007)
Help medical students find ways to finance their tuition. (Oct 2007)
Start paying for universal coverage with $100B in redundancy. (Sep 2007)
Rethink healthcare by focusing on prevention. (Sep 2007)
Start with catastrophic insurance and insuring all kids. (Aug 2007)
Got tested for AIDS after blood transfusion; no shame in it. (Jun 2007)
Survived two aneurysms in the 1990s. (Oct 2005)
Voting Record
McCain health plan is ultimate Bridge to Nowhere. (Oct 2008)
Voted YES on overriding veto on expansion of Medicare. (Jul 2008)
Voted NO on means-testing to determine Medicare Part D premium. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on allowing tribal Indians to opt out of federal healthcare. (Feb 2008)
Voted YES on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility. (Nov 2007)
Voted YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Apr 2007)
Voted YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. (Feb 2006)
Voted YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics. (Nov 2005)
Voted YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug. (Mar 2005)
Voted YES on $40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Jun 2003)
Voted YES on allowing reimportation of Rx drugs from Canada. (Jul 2002)
Voted YES on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages. (Jun 2001)
Voted NO on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on including prescription drugs under Medicare. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on limiting self-employment health deduction. (Jul 1999)
Voted YES on increasing tobacco restrictions. (Jun 1998)
Voted NO on Medicare means-testing. (Jun 1997)
Voted YES on blocking medical savings acounts. (Apr 1996)
Rated 100% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record. (Dec 2003)
Establish a national childhood cancer database. (Mar 2007)

Jeb Bush on Health Care

Republican FL Governor; V.P. prospect

Click here for 12 full quotes by Jeb Bush OR click here for Jeb Bush on other issues.

Move Medicaid from "defined benefit" to defined contribution. (Dec 2009)
Provide risk-adjusted premiums (insurance vouchers). (Dec 2009)
Slashed every request for adult mental health. (Dec 2009)
OpEd: Medicaid reforms won't cover chronic conditions. (Dec 2009)
ObamaCare is focused on access; should be focused on quality. (Aug 2009)
Terri Schiavo: Did all possible to keep her hooked up. (Feb 2007)
Compromised on limiting medical malpractice awards. (Feb 2007)
KidCare and Medikids: expand to 1.6M kids and then even more. (Mar 2004)
Leave research funding to feds, not state. (Jun 2001)
No physician-assisted suicide. (Nov 1998)
No federal pre-emption of employee health plan regulation. (Oct 2001)
Protect state tobacco settlement funds from federal seizure. (Apr 1999)

Hillary Clinton on Health Care
Secretary of State; previously Democratic Senator (NY)
Click here for 85 full quotes by Hillary Clinton OR click here for 25 older headlines OR click here for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Don�t legitimize end-of-life decision, but ok to help decide. (Apr 2008) Decrease generic drug costs for developing countries. (Apr 2008) Taxpayers pay for drug R&D, not drug companies. (Jan 2008) Need a health care system that manages chronic diseases. (Jan 2008) Universal health care is a core Democratic principle. (Jan 2008) Pledges to support $50B for AIDS relief in US and world. (Dec 2007) No parent should be told �no� for healthcare for their kids. (Sep 2007) Local smoking bans ok, but no national ban. (Sep 2007) Outcry if AIDS were leading disease of young whites. (Jun 2007) Electronic medical records save $120 billion in health care. (Jun 2007) Insurers must fund prevention without preexisting conditions. (Mar 2007) Require electronic medical record for all federal healthcare. (Mar 2007) Increase America�s commitment against Global AIDS. (Nov 2006) FDA should compare drug effectiveness--not just safety. (Oct 2006) Supply more medical needs of families, & insure all children. (Jun 2006) Healthcare system plagued with underuse, overuse, and abuse. (Oct 2005) Fought for pediatric rule: new drugs tested for child safety. (Oct 2005) Low-tech low-cost water treatment for developing world. (Nov 2003) Millions uninsured is source of America's healthcare crisis. (Nov 2003) Recommended "managed competition"; not single-payer system. (Nov 2003) Fund teaching hospitals federally because market fails. (Sep 2000) Regulate tobacco; fine of $3000 for every underage smoker. (Apr 2000) Be prepared with defenses against infectious disease. (Oct 1999) Medicare should be strengthened today. (Sep 1999) GOP overwhelmed by her health reform knowledge. (Jun 1995) $100B to get started on healthcare reform. (Jun 1994) Smaller steps to progress on health care. (Jan 2000) 1990s HillaryCare 2007: recast 1990s disaster as experience to make it happen. (Jan 2010) Hillary appointed 8 days after inauguration to health cmte. (Oct 2007) A plan is necessary; but consensus is more necessary. (Sep 2007) 1993:Ambitious role plagued from start by secrecy complaints. (Jun 2007) 1990s plan failed after big pharma & insurance worked on it. (Apr 2007) 1990s healthcare reforms laid groundwork for today�s reforms. (Mar 2007) Still scarred from 1990s reform, but now doing it better. (Feb 2007) 1997: Helped found State Children�s Health Insurance Program. (Dec 2006) 1993 health plan initially praised as moderate & workable. (Jun 2004) 1990s reform called �secretive� but had 600 in working group. (Nov 2003) When last Republican backed out, HillaryCare died. (Nov 2003) Despite failure, glad she tried system-wide reform. (Nov 2003) 1994 "Harry & Louise" ads exploited consumer fears. (Nov 2003) 1990s plan based on employer mandate. (Feb 2003) Learned lessons on health care; but hasn�t given up goal. (Aug 2000) 1979: Developed program to deliver rural healthcare. (Aug 1999) 2008 HillaryCare We need a movement to get healthcare done this time. (Aug 2009) 2006: If I can't do universal coverage, why run? (Aug 2009) AdWatch: Got health insurance for six million kids. (Mar 2008) Include everyone, to avoid cherry-picking and its hidden tax. (Feb 2008) Healthcare without mandate is like voluntary Social Security. (Feb 2008) Many uninsured are young & don�t think they need coverage. (Feb 2008) Make it illegal to discriminate against sick people. (Feb 2008) Tired of health insurance companies deciding who live or die. (Feb 2008) Universal health care will not work if it is voluntary. (Feb 2008) Mandate insurance AND make it affordable for all. (Jan 2008) Health care tax credit ensures affordability. (Nov 2007) Insurance companies cannot deny people coverage. (Oct 2007) Condemns insurers as motivated by greed. (Oct 2007) American Health Choices Plan: keep yours or pick Congress�. (Sep 2007) Pay for health plan by $52B tax repeal & $77B efficiencies. (Sep 2007) Mandated responsibility by individuals, industry & employers. (Sep 2007) Since 1993, new consensus developed on need for healthcare. (Sep 2007) Include insurance industry in discussions, but rein them in. (Sep 2007) Universal health care coverage by the end of my second term. (Feb 2007) I have the expertise to achieve universal healthcare for all. (Feb 2007) We need a uniquely American solution to health care. (Oct 2006) Voting Record Health care initiatives are her first priority in Senate. (Feb 2001) Voted YES on overriding veto on expansion of Medicare. (Jul 2008) Voted NO on means-testing to determine Medicare Part D premium. (Mar 2008) Voted YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Apr 2007) Voted NO on limiting medical liability lawsuits to $250,000. (May 2006) Voted YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. (Feb 2006) Voted YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics. (Nov 2005) Voted YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug. (Mar 2005) Voted NO on $40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Jun 2003) Voted YES on allowing reimportation of Rx drugs from Canada. (Jul 2002) Voted YES on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages. (Jun 2001) Voted NO on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001) Establish "report cards" on HMO quality of care. (Aug 2000) Invest funds to alleviate the nursing shortage. (Apr 2001) Let states make bulk Rx purchases, and other innovations. (May 2003) Rated 100% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record. (Dec 2003) End government propaganda on Medicare bill. (Mar 2004) Sponsored bill for mental health service for older Americans. (May 2005) Improve services for people with autism & their families. (Apr 2007) Establish a national childhood cancer database. (Mar 2007) Preserve access to Medicaid & SCHIP during economic downturn. (Apr 2008)

Andrew Cuomo on Health Care

Democratic Governor

Click here for 2 full quotes by Andrew Cuomo OR click here for Andrew Cuomo on other issues.

Implement the N.Y. Health Exchange with federal funds. (Jan 2012)
Supports government-run healthcare. (Aug 2010)

Newt Gingrich on Health Care

Former Republican Representative (GA-6) and Speaker of the House

Click here for 32 full quotes by Newt Gingrich OR click here for Newt Gingrich on other issues.

Government healthcare looks into abyss & moves to tyranny. (Feb 2012)
Rick Santorum's healthcare stances compared to Newt's. (Jan 2012)
1993: I am for an individual health insurance requirement. (Dec 2011)
HillaryCare mandate ok; ObamaCare mandate unconstitutional. (Dec 2011)
No mandatory premium support model; give people choices. (Nov 2011)
Medicare pays crooks; contract it out to private companies. (Nov 2011)
Block grant Medicaid; create individual incentives & bonuses. (Nov 2011)
Rampant Medicaid/Medicare fraud: stop paying the crooks. (Jul 2011)
If you mandate healthcare, you mandate everything in life. (Jun 2011)
House GOP Medicare plan was right-wing social engineering. (Jun 2011)
Tort Reform: Impose "loser pays" rules; cap punitive damages. (May 2011)
Repeal ObamaCare; sign tort reform instead. (Feb 2011)
$151B wasted annually to avoid malpractice lawsuits. (May 2010)
Focus on Availability, Affordability, and Appropriateness. (May 2010)
$600B to $850B in healthcare waste every year. (May 2010)
21st-century personalized intelligent health system. (Dec 2007)
Focus on health as a moral issue. (Dec 2007)
Medicare opt-in to private health savings accounts. (Dec 2006)
Focus 21st Century Intelligent Health System on individuals. (Dec 2006)
Market competition yields more health choice at lower prices. (Dec 2006)
1994: Declined gov't insurance but gov't paid 75% anyway. (Nov 2003)
Save dollars and save lives--so transform urgently. (Sep 2003)
System broken due to �perfect storm� of converging problems. (Sep 2003)
Tax credits for developing technology for disabilities. (Sep 2003)
Re-focus Medicare on preventive health instead of sickness. (Sep 2003)
Market dynamics can save healthcare, not government control. (Sep 2003)
Focus on prevention; would save $14B with diabetes. (Jul 1998)
Ongoing battle against liberals nationalizing healthcare. (Jul 1998)
Decentralizing power will reduce health costs. (Jul 1996)
Too much reform puts 1/7 of US economy at risk. (Jun 1995)
$500 tax credit for family eldercare. (Dec 1994)
Defund, repeal, & replace federal care with free market. (Jul 2010)

Nikki Haley on Health Care

Click here for 8 full quotes by Nikki Haley OR click here for Nikki Haley on other issues.

Dead set against ObamaCare: We can't split the cow. (Apr 2012)
ObamaCare is wrongheaded and unconstitutional. (Apr 2012)
ObamaCare opt-out rules disallow state opt-out. (Apr 2012)
Medicaid is a broken system; federal mandates cause problems. (Jan 2012)
No government-run health exchanges; transparency instead. (Jan 2012)
Let Medicaid buy generics for AIDS, cancer, & mental health. (Jan 2011)
Cap punitive damages to limit medical costs. (Nov 2010)
Loosen "one-size-fits-all" approach to Medicaid. (Jan 2011)

Mike Huckabee on Health Care

Former Republican AR Governor; possible draft candidate

Click here for 34 full quotes by Mike Huckabee OR click here for Mike Huckabee on other issues.

Healthcare reform requires cultural change over a generation. (Nov 2008)
Quit treating snakebites and start killing some snakes. (Nov 2008)
First-dollar coverage for all expenses defies common sense. (Nov 2008)
Proposed 50-governor 7-principle Medicaid reform. (Nov 2008)
Ok to ban smoking from workplaces, but not to ban smoking. (Feb 2008)
Called for isolating AIDS carriers in 1992, not quarantine. (Dec 2007)
1/3 self-insured; 1/3 don�t want it; 1/3 can�t afford it. (Dec 2007)
Crisis from waiting until people are catastrophically ill. (Dec 2007)
FactCheck: 2/3 of uninsured can�t afford insurace, not 1/3. (Dec 2007)
We don�t have a healthcare system; it�s a healthcare maze. (Oct 2007)
Individually-controlled insurance, not government SCHIP. (Oct 2007)
Portable medical records that YOU own, not your doctor. (Sep 2007)
System is upside down; focuses on intervention after illness. (Sep 2007)
Oppose mandated health insurance and universal coverage. (Sep 2007)
Insurance reward for avoiding tobacco, alcohol, obesity. (Sep 2007)
Co-led effort against child obesity with Bill Clinton. (Sep 2007)
Give Americans Congress� healthcare, or give Congress ours. (Aug 2007)
Dems want government in charge; GOP want consumers in charge. (Jun 2007)
ARKids: Prevention less expensive than sick children. (Jun 2007)
Focus on health & prevention, not just disease treatment. (Jan 2007)
STOP the culture of chronic disease via self-discipline. (Jan 2007)
The road to obesity is paved with procrastination. (May 2006)
To stop procrastinating: Set date; stick to it; and start!. (May 2006)
Nothing tastes as good as it feels to be healthy. (May 2006)
We don�t have a health-care system but a disease-care system. (Jan 2006)
Guaranteed medical care not government�s responsibility. (Nov 2002)
ARKids First program: record decreases in uninsured. (Jan 2001)
Designed ARKids for preventive healthcare for kids. (Oct 2000)
Supports consumer-driven �medical IRA� with tax-free money. (Nov 1992)
No additional AIDS spending; cancer & vascular victims first. (Nov 1992)
Ban smoking in all public places. (Nov 1992)
Isolate carriers of this plague of AIDS. (Nov 1992)
No federal pre-emption of employee health plan regulation. (Oct 2001)
Protect state tobacco settlement funds from federal seizure. (Apr 1999)

Bobby Jindal on Health Care

Republican Governor; previously Representative (LA-1)

Click here for 10 full quotes by Bobby Jindal OR click here for Bobby Jindal on other issues.

Market-based alternatives to top-down ObamaCare. (Nov 2010)
Healthcare is a right; but instrument is the marketplace. (Nov 2010)
Euthanasia cheapens life just like abortion & infanticide. (Nov 2010)
Universal access, but not government-run. (Feb 2009)
Move away from ER to primary care; cover 100,000 uninsured. (Jan 2009)
Voted NO on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Jan 2007)
Voted YES on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay. (Feb 2006)
Improve services for people with autism & their families. (Apr 2007)
Establish a national childhood cancer database. (Mar 2007)
Loosen "one-size-fits-all" approach to Medicaid. (Jan 2011)

Gary Johnson on Health Care

Libertarian presidential nominee; former Republican NM Governor

Click here for 10 full quotes by Gary Johnson OR click here for Gary Johnson on other issues.

Government-managed healthcare is insanity. (Aug 2012)
Block grant Medicare; carte blanche to the states. (Aug 2011)
ObamaCare is unconstitutional; so is Bush's Medicare Rx plan. (Aug 2011)
Salud!: managed care for Medicaid recipients. (Jul 2011)
1999: vetoed 12-cent-a-pack cigarette tax hike. (Jul 2011)
Cut Medicare/Medicaid by 43%, as part of $1.675 trillion cut. (May 2011)
Repeal ObamaCare & failed Medicare prescription drug benefit. (May 2011)
No federal pre-emption of employee health plan regulation. (Oct 2001)
More federal funding for rural health services. (Aug 2001)
Protect state tobacco settlement funds from federal seizure. (Apr 1999)

Martin O`Malley on Health Care

Democrat

Click here for 6 full quotes by Martin O`Malley OR click here for Martin O`Malley on other issues.

Pass the Maryland healthcare act to expand health coverage. (Jan 2007)
Health care should be a right--not a privilege. (Nov 2006)
Establish "report cards" on HMO quality of care. (Aug 2000)
Supports government-run healthcare. (Aug 2010)
Adopt national health reform legislation before the end of the year. (Oct 2009)
3.2% funding increase for National Institutes of Health. (Apr 2010)

Barack Obama on Health Care

Democratic incumbent President; IL Senator (2004-2008)

Click here for 110 full quotes by Barack Obama OR click here for 28 older headlines OR click here for Barack Obama on other issues.

An AIDS-free generation is within our reach. (Feb 2013)
We reduced senior Rx prices & pushed preventive care. (Oct 2012)
I don't think Medicare vouchers are the way to go. (Oct 2012)
Voucher system puts seniors at mercy of insurance companies. (Oct 2012)
Too many Americans skip preventive care due to cost. (Sep 2012)
Paul Ryan's Roadmap should be debated. (Apr 2012)
GOP budget plan ends Medicare as we know it. (Apr 2012)
FactCheck: ObamaCare covers only 1/2 of 30 million uninsured. (Jan 2012)
OpEd: gambler's instinct over "Slow Down crowd". (May 2010)
OpEd: Incremental plan builds on patchwork system. (Aug 2008)
2003 Rx Drug Bill combined worst of public & private sectors. (Aug 2008)
Give more help to those denied a life of dignity & respect. (Jul 2008)
Address minority health needs by more coverage & targeting. (Mar 2007)
Allow prescription drug re-importation. (May 2004)
AIDS
Advocated condom use to avoid AIDS at Saddleback Church. (Jan 2010)
CDC estimate: a half million would follow Obama's AIDS test. (Aug 2008)
Use whatever works with AIDS, including teaching abstinence. (Apr 2008)
We need condom distribution to deal with the scourge of AIDS. (Aug 2007)
Homophobia prevents talking about HIV/AIDS. (Jun 2007)
Got tested for AIDS, with wife, in public, in Kenya. (Jun 2007)
Curing AIDS must be all-hands-on-deck effort. (Mar 2007)
Lead global fight against AIDS. (Jul 2004)
ObamaCare
Boards of experts identify best practices & keep costs down. (Oct 2012)
ObamaCare says insurance companies can't jerk you around. (Oct 2012)
Ignored advice to postpone reform, because it was needed. (Sep 2012)
ObamaCare passage means history; failure means powerless. (Oct 2011)
They called ObamaCare "Armageddon", but no asteroids fell. (Oct 2011)
Repealing healthcare reform would cost $250B. (Jan 2011)
Medicare is major driver of our long-term liabilities. (Jan 2010)
Zero fines & no mandate for small business. (Oct 2008)
No exclusions for pre-existing conditions. (Oct 2008)
Health care is a right: something�s fundamentally wrong now. (Oct 2008)
Ban insurance companies from discriminating against the sick. (Aug 2008)
Include everyone who wants insurance in national pool. (Aug 2008)
I�ve got a health plan and a plan to get it implemented. (Jun 2008)
Voluntary universal participation, like in Medicare Part B. (Feb 2008)
Buy private insurance via National Health Insurance Exchange. (Feb 2008)
Against enforcement mechanism for mandating insurance. (Jan 2008)
Subsidies to people who can�t afford care--not single payer. (Jan 2008)
Problem isn�t mandating coverage, but affording it. (Nov 2007)
Cautious incremental plan offers choice & subsidy. (Nov 2007)
Tackle insurance companies on reimbursement system. (Oct 2007)
Government healthcare like members of Congress have. (Sep 2007)
Morally wrong that terminally ill must consider money. (Sep 2007)
Increase competition in the insurance and drug markets. (Aug 2007)
National Health Insurance Exchange for private coverage. (Aug 2007)
Give people the choice to buy affordable health care. (Jun 2007)
Employers are going to have to pay or play. (Mar 2007)
The market alone can�t solve our health-care woes. (Oct 2006)
Health care tied to balancing costs and taxes nation wide. (Jun 2006)
Will expand health coverage & allow meds to be re-imported. (May 2004)
Obamacare Criticism
ObamaCare and RomneyCare both expand private insurance. (Oct 2012)
OpEd: ObamaCare passed by constitutionally suspect tactics. (Apr 2012)
Ron Paul's healthcare stances compared to Obama. (Jan 2012)
2009: Accused of "Obamunism" and "Chains We Can Believe In". (Oct 2011)
OpEd: True cost of ObamaCare was end of bipartisanship. (Oct 2011)
OpEd: No authority to micromanage citizens' healthcare. (Jul 2011)
FactCheck: healthcare reform saves $2B to $10B, not $250B. (Jan 2011)
OpEd: Obama's public responsibility for health is socialism. (Nov 2010)
Promised time for Congress to read ObamaCare bill. (May 2010)
OpEd: Slices $500B from Medicare; repeals Medicare Advantage. (Apr 2010)
OpEd: Obamacare decides when life is worth preserving. (Apr 2010)
OpEd: authority to require private insurance purchases? (Apr 2010)
OpEd: cut $622B in Medicare despite claiming no cuts. (Mar 2010)
High-risk pool for uninsured, now in plan, was GOP idea. (Jan 2010)
Cross-state-line insurance leads to cherry-picking. (Jan 2010)
Tort reform only saves $5B per year; not enough to matter. (Jan 2010)
Didn't tackle healthcare for political benefit, it's needed. (Jan 2010)
FactCheck: Obama's estimate of $1T saved is closer to $132B. (Jan 2010)
FactCheck: Exempts small business, but no $2,500/yr savings. (Oct 2008)
$15B subsidies to private insurers was a lobbyist giveaway. (Sep 2008)
End-of-life self-medication ok; euthanasia by others not ok. (Apr 2008)
AdWatch: punishing uninsured families doesn�t make sense. (Feb 2008)
FactCheck: Yes, Obama favored single-payer, despite denial. (Jan 2008)
FactCheck: OPPORTUNITY to insure all, but no GUARANTEE. (Jan 2008)
AdWatch: Don�t make it illegal not to have health care. (Jan 2008)
FactCheck: Reducing obesity would save $18B, not $1T. (Dec 2007)
FactCheck: Coverage plan might leave 8.5 million uninsured. (Nov 2007)
FactCheck: Correct that insurance lobbying cost $1B. (Sep 2007)
Reform failed in �90s because of drug company lobbying. (Jul 2007)
Universal Coverage
Shifting Medicaid to states means some people don't get help. (Oct 2012)
Add 2,000 new primary-care residency spots. (Apr 2010)
2009: Expanded SCHIP by loosening eligibility standards. (Nov 2009)
Promised Ted Kennedy he'd push for universal healthcare. (Aug 2009)
Reduce premiums and uninsured get same coverage as Congress. (Oct 2008)
When your child gets sick, you don't shop for best bargain. (Jul 2008)
If we started from scratch, one-payer system would be best. (Jul 2008)
Universal health care means anyone who wants it can get it. (Feb 2008)
Mandating kids� insurance ok; mandating adults has problems. (Feb 2008)
Young adults up to age 25 can be covered under parents� plan. (Feb 2008)
Adults will get health care as they can afford it. (Feb 2008)
No one turned away due to illness or pre-existing condition. (Feb 2008)
AdWatch: Pressure insurance & drug companies to change. (Jan 2008)
Being poor in this country is hazardous to your health. (Dec 2007)
Added 20,000 children to Illinois healthcare. (Oct 2007)
National insurance pool & catastrophic insurance. (Apr 2007)
Healthcare system is broken without lifetime employment. (Oct 2006)
Focus on the affordability of a broad healthcare plan. (Jan 2006)
Crises happen in our lives and healthcare is necessary. (Oct 2004)
Voting Record
No need to mandate coverage; just let people afford it. (Jul 2007)
Voted NO on means-testing to determine Medicare Part D premium. (Mar 2008)
Voted YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Apr 2007)
Voted YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. (Feb 2006)
Voted YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics. (Nov 2005)
Voted YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug. (Mar 2005)
Increase funding for AIDS treatment & prevention. (Jan 2001)
More funding for Rx benefits, community health, CHIPs. (Jan 2001)
Improve services for people with autism & their families. (Apr 2007)
Establish a national childhood cancer database. (Mar 2007)
Preserve access to Medicaid & SCHIP during economic downturn. (Apr 2008)

Sarah Palin on Health Care
Republican Governor (AK); 2008 nominee for Vice President
Click here for 13 full quotes by Sarah Palin OR click here for Sarah Palin on other issues. ObamaCare should focus on helping doctors via tort reform. (Nov 2010) Greater competition, more choices, and less litigation. (Jan 2009) Health Care Commission recommends habits against obesity. (Jan 2009) $5,000 tax credit for families to buy their own coverage. (Oct 2008) FactCheck: Obama�s plan does not remove private insurance. (Oct 2008) FactCheck: McCain�s plan costs $14B/year; not budget-neutral. (Oct 2008) Signed up as organ donor; Alaska leads the states. (Apr 2008) Health care must be market-and business-driven. (Jan 2008) Take personal responsibility for personal health & all areas. (Jan 2008) Doctors should manage health care, not bureaucracies. (Jan 2008) Personal responsibility & choices key to good health. (Jan 2008) Flexibility in government regulations to allow competition. (Nov 2006) More affordable health care via competition. (Nov 2006)

Ron Paul on Health Care

Republican Representative (TX-14); previously Libertarian for President

Click here for 47 full quotes by Ron Paul OR click here for Ron Paul on other issues.

Newt Gingrich's healthcare stances compared to Paul's. (Jan 2012)
Government should not protect you from yourself. (Dec 2011)
Markets instead of lobbyists writing drug laws. (Sep 2011)
Vaccinating 12-year-olds against HPV is bad medicine. (Sep 2011)
States CAN mandate insurance, but it's a bad idea. (Aug 2011)
Private contract instead of tort reform. (Jun 2011)
Let people opt out of Medicare. (Jun 2011)
Legalizing prostitution is about protecting liberty. (May 2011)
ObamaCare is only as socialized as Bush's & Nixon's reforms. (Apr 2011)
Insurers promote ObamaCare's giant expansion of government. (Nov 2009)
Individual mandate is back door to national health insurance. (Nov 2009)
Replace Medicaid with volunteer pro-bono medical care. (Apr 2008)
Private medical savings accounts, not government meddling. (Apr 2008)
Insurance companies & gov�t make healthcare unaffordable. (Oct 2007)
Transfer funds from debt & empire-building to healthcare. (Oct 2007)
Socialized medicine won�t work; nor managed care. (Oct 2007)
Managed care is expensive and hasn�t worked. (Sep 2007)
Not government�s role to protect people like Terri Schiavo. (Sep 2007)
Insurance reward for avoiding tobacco, alcohol, obesity. (Sep 2007)
Voting+Sponsorships
Oppose mandated health insurance and universal coverage. (Sep 2007)
Voted NO on the Ryan Budget: Medicare choice, tax & spending cuts. (Apr 2011)
Voted YES on repealing the "Prevention and Public Health" slush fund. (Apr 2011)
Voted NO on regulating tobacco as a drug. (Apr 2009)
Voted NO on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program. (Jan 2009)
Voted NO on overriding veto on expansion of Medicare. (Jul 2008)
Voted NO on giving mental health full equity with physical health. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on Veto override: Extend SCHIP to cover 6M more kids. (Jan 2008)
Voted NO on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility. (Oct 2007)
Voted YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Jan 2007)
Voted NO on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on limiting medical malpractice lawsuits to $250,000 damages. (May 2004)
Voted NO on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. (Nov 2003)
Voted YES on allowing reimportation of prescription drugs. (Jul 2003)
Voted YES on small business associations for buying health insurance. (Jun 2003)
Voted NO on capping damages & setting time limits in medical lawsuits. (Mar 2003)
Voted NO on subsidizing private insurance for Medicare Rx drug coverage. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
Voted YES on establishing tax-exempt Medical Savings Accounts. (Oct 1999)
Abolish federal Medicare entitlement; leave it to states. (Dec 2000)
Limit anti-trust lawsuits on health plans and insurers. (Mar 2002)
Rated 56% by APHA, indicating a mixed record on public health issues. (Dec 2003)
Prohibit mandatory mental health screen for students. (May 2007)
Remove restrictions on estriol (menopause medication). (Jun 2008)
Repeal any federal health care takeover. (Jul 2010)
Repeal the Job-Killing Health Care Law. (Jan 2011)
Expand medical savings accounts for employers & individuals. (Feb 1999)
Expedited licensing for biosimilar products. (Mar 2009)

Rob Portman on Health Care

Republican Jr Senator; previously Representative (OH-2)

Click here for 15 full quotes by Rob Portman OR click here for Rob Portman on other issues.

Repeal new health reform; it's a job killer. (Oct 2010)
Small business owners are fearful of current health debate. (Dec 2009)
Voted YES on the Ryan Budget: Medicare choice, tax & spending cuts. (May 2011)
Voted YES on limiting medical malpractice lawsuits to $250,000 damages. (May 2004)
Voted YES on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. (Nov 2003)
Voted NO on allowing reimportation of prescription drugs. (Jul 2003)
Voted YES on small business associations for buying health insurance. (Jun 2003)
Voted YES on capping damages & setting time limits in medical lawsuits. (Mar 2003)
Voted YES on allowing suing HMOs, but under federal rules & limited award. (Aug 2001)
Voted YES on subsidizing private insurance for Medicare Rx drug coverage. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
Voted YES on establishing tax-exempt Medical Savings Accounts. (Oct 1999)
Rated 12% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record. (Dec 2003)
Opposes government-run healthcare. (Aug 2010)
Expand medical savings accounts for employers & individuals. (Feb 1999)

Mitt Romney on Health Care

Former Republican Governor (MA); presidential nominee-apparent

Click here for 69 full quotes by Mitt Romney OR click here for Mitt Romney on other issues.

Shift Medicaid to states, plus inflation, plus 1%. (Oct 2012)
Restore $716B in Medicare cuts. (Oct 2012)
No change to near-retirees; Medicare vouchers for young. (Oct 2012)
Give young people a choice of Medicare or private insurer. (Oct 2012)
Develop countermeasures for global pandemics. (Sep 2012)
Preventive vaccines require robust R&D enterprises. (Sep 2012)
Official portrait had 2 symbols: his wife, & healthcare. (Jan 2012)
On choosing providers: "I like being able to fire people". (Jan 2012)
2010: Consider single-fee structures, at state level. (Nov 2011)
Reform Medicare, but don't cancel prescription program. (Sep 2011)
Health Savings Accounts give patients stake in health costs. (Sep 2011)
Cap medical malpractice punitive damages at $500,000. (Jun 2011)
Get everyone some form of catastrophic health coverage. (Jan 2008)
FactCheck: Untrue that 47M uninsured want to �not play�. (Jan 2008)
Personal responsibility instead of employer mandates. (Dec 2007)
Let states create their own private, market-based insurance. (Oct 2007)
Same tax treatment if people buy insurance without employers. (Oct 2007)
Conservative idea: individual responsibility for health care. (Aug 2007)
Insure 45 million uninsured with a free-market based system. (Aug 2007)
Pharmaceutical companies create products to make us better. (Jan 2006)
Subsidies for health coverage for low-income individuals. (Mar 2002)
Voluntary purchasing pools. (Mar 2002)
ObamaCare
ObamaCare has unelected board making health decisions. (Oct 2012)
ObamaCare is too expensive, and it has killed jobs. (Oct 2012)
State targets for insurance, to replace ObamaCare. (Sep 2012)
ObamaCare drives medical device jobs overseas. (Sep 2012)
Obama cut Medicare by $500B to pay for ObamaCare. (Feb 2012)
Romney healthcare stances compared to Obama. (Jan 2012)
Return healthcare to states, under the 10th Amendment. (Dec 2011)
No FEDERAL individual mandate; but state mandate ok. (Dec 2011)
ObamaCare waivers on Day One; repeal bill on Day Two. (Oct 2011)
ObamaCare has enormous differences from RomneyCare. (Sep 2011)
On Day One, ObamaCare waivers to all 50 states. (Sep 2011)
ObamaCare's biggest difference: I believe in 10th Amendment. (Aug 2011)
MA Constitution allows mandate; US Constitution does not. (Aug 2011)
ObamaCare's power grab won't work; Obama didn't ask me. (Jun 2011)
RomneyCare
I care about 100% of people; & insured 98% of adults in MA. (Oct 2012)
RomneyCare was bipartisan; ObamaCare was pushed through. (Oct 2012)
RomneyCare is national model, but only state by state. (Oct 2012)
OpEd: RomneyCare courageous but not for every state. (Apr 2012)
2006: individual mandate is a Republican approach. (Dec 2011)
Over 98% of MA residents now have healthcare. (Nov 2011)
2008: Individual mandate ok; free ride is not. (Nov 2011)
My plan right for MA but wrong for rest of country. (Nov 2011)
RomneyCare intended as state plan; never as national model. (Sep 2011)
In MA, we addressed only the 8% who were uninsured. (Sep 2011)
I stand by what I did in Massachusetts. (Sep 2011)
If people of MA don't like RomneyCare, they can change it. (Jun 2011)
2006 lessons: involve everyone; demonize none; transparency. (Mar 2010)
People without insurance already receive care via E.R. (Mar 2010)
2006: Compromise with Ted Kennedy to make RomneyCare reality. (Mar 2010)
Base health care system on free choice & private medicine. (Feb 2009)
Mandating citizens to buy health insurance is conservative. (Jan 2008)
FactCheck: MA employers have no mandates, but �requirements�. (Dec 2007)
FactCheck: No, MA healthcare plan is not paid for, yet. (Dec 2007)
Removing most mandates drove down premium cost by half. (Oct 2007)
FactCheck: HillaryCare closer to RomneyCare than �all gov�t�. (Oct 2007)
FactCheck: MA plan works, but Romney not proposing it for US. (Oct 2007)
Get everybody insured with state-based market dynamics. (Oct 2007)
MA plan blends personal responsibility & universal coverage. (Aug 2007)
FactCheck: Romney plan virtually identical to Obama plan. (Jun 2007)
MA program relies on personal responsibility & the market. (Jun 2007)
MA health plan insures all without taxes or socialization. (May 2007)
FactCheck: MA plan not yet in place so analysis premature. (May 2007)
Signal accomplishment as Governor is MA insurance reform. (Mar 2007)
MA reform focuses on individual responsibility (via fines). (Mar 2007)
State universal coverage plan is national test case. (Apr 2006)
MA state health insurance plan lowered costs. (Jan 2006)
Mandates on health insurance work in Massachusetts. (Jan 2006)

Paul Ryan on Health Care

Republican nominee for Vice President; U.S. Rep. (WI-1)

Click here for 48 full quotes by Paul Ryan OR click here for Paul Ryan on other issues.

Honor our Medicare promise by reforming system for young. (Oct 2012)
Nobody is proposing vouchers; it's a check in the mailbox. (Oct 2012)
Regulators don't want your opinion on ObamaCare mandates. (Sep 2012)
ObamaCare's mandates & fines have no place in a free country. (Aug 2012)
Protect Medicare as an obligation to grandparents. (Aug 2012)
Choice of Medicare or certified plan, starting in 2022. (Aug 2012)
Replace ObamaCare with patient-centered reforms. (Aug 2012)
Patients' Choice Act: untie health coverage from employment. (Aug 2012)
Under age 54, provided with subsidy for private insurance. (Apr 2012)
2008 signature plank: reconfigure Medicare & Medicaid. (Apr 2012)
ObamaCare is government takeover of healthcare. (Apr 2012)
Obama: Ryan's budget plan ends Medicare as we know it. (Apr 2012)
Seniors are threatened with denied access to care. (Apr 2012)
Younger workers choose from subsidized coverage options. (Apr 2012)
CBO: Ryan cuts mandatory health costs from 15% to 6% of GDP. (Apr 2012)
CBO: Elderly pay more for Medicare under Ryan plan. (Apr 2012)
CBO: States pay more for Medicaid under Ryan plan. (Apr 2012)
FactCheck: No, Medicare cost doesn't exceed national defense. (May 2011)
FactCheck: costs go up just a bit; jobs go down just a bit. (Jan 2011)
FactCheck: No evidence that healthcare reform explodes debt. (Jan 2011)
Open-ended healthcare entitlement moves US toward bankruptcy. (Jan 2011)
ObamaCare passed with no GOP support & split Democrats. (Sep 2010)
For tax credits; high-risk pools; & regulatory reform. (Sep 2010)
Medicare is a $38 trillion unfunded liability--add vouchers. (Jan 2010)
Road Map: buy health insurance from any state in the country. (Jul 2009)
Replace Medicare with $9500/year private insurance payment. (Jul 2009)
Voting Record
Washington Way: closed-door deals & one-party votes. (Sep 2010)
Voted YES on the Ryan Budget: Medicare choice, tax & spending cuts. (Apr 2011)
Voted YES on repealing the "Prevention and Public Health" slush fund. (Apr 2011)
Voted NO on regulating tobacco as a drug. (Apr 2009)
Voted NO on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program. (Jan 2009)
Voted YES on overriding veto on expansion of Medicare. (Jul 2008)
Voted NO on giving mental health full equity with physical health. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on Veto override: Extend SCHIP to cover 6M more kids. (Jan 2008)
Voted NO on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility. (Oct 2007)
Voted NO on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Jan 2007)
Voted YES on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay. (Feb 2006)
Voted YES on limiting medical malpractice lawsuits to $250,000 damages. (May 2004)
Voted YES on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. (Nov 2003)
Voted YES on allowing reimportation of prescription drugs. (Jul 2003)
Voted YES on small business associations for buying health insurance. (Jun 2003)
Voted YES on capping damages & setting time limits in medical lawsuits. (Mar 2003)
Voted YES on allowing suing HMOs, but under federal rules & limited award. (Aug 2001)
Voted YES on subsidizing private insurance for Medicare Rx drug coverage. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
Voted YES on establishing tax-exempt Medical Savings Accounts. (Oct 1999)
Rated 11% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record. (Dec 2003)
Repeal the Job-Killing Health Care Law. (Jan 2011)

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