Health Care

Health Care

From the massive Medicare drug program mess that's confusing seniors and their families to our nation's continuing inability to provide health insurance for our children, Congress's record on health care is inexcusable. We urgently need new leadership to cut through the gridlock and complacency and develop the common sense policies that will fulfill every American's need for affordable, accessible, high quality care. In short, we need energetic and effective leaders like DAN MAFFEI.

Dan Knows The Time for Health Care Answers Is Now. In 2003, 45 million Americans -- including 8 million children -- went without health insurance for the entire year. And with millions of Baby Boomers approaching retirement age -- a time of life when most of us start needing more care -- the stresses on the system are only going to grow. Ignoring the problems won't make them go away. Neither will massive Republican-sponsored giveaways to the drug companies and HMOs.

Expanding Access to Health Insurance. Dan Maffei believes it's unforgivable when the wealthiest nation in the world allows millions of its citizens to live without adequate health coverage. He will become a force in Congress, fighting to expand health insurance for workers, families, and children by implementing intelligent tax incentives, and working to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Plan. Dan also strongly supports insurance pooling by small businesses to leverage buying power and expand opportunities for coverage.

Real Prescription Drug Coverage, Not a Complex Nightmare. Dan believes that American seniors deserve a prescription drug plan that delivers more than massive giveaways to the HMOs and huge profits to the pharmaceutical companies. From day one, he will stand with others in Congress to enact a real and genuine benefit that provides comprehensive prescription drug coverage, defined benefits, and is available to all Medicare beneficiaries.

Lowering the Outrageous Cost of Prescription Drugs. Dan understands we will never truly address the health care crisis in America if we don't bring down the cost of prescription drugs. With prescription costs rising 17 percent annually, consumers, states, and businesses are finding it harder and harder to afford these essential medicines. Maffei will fight in Congress to bring generic and low-cost drugs to market, and supports using the government's purchasing power to negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs.

A Commitment to Traditional Medicare. Dan Maffei knows that Medicare is a life-line for thousands of citizens. He opposes Republican efforts to allow Medicare to "wither on the vine" by allowing HMOs to "cherry pick" Medicare participants. They may call it "competition," but the reality will be higher Medicare rates for those remaining in the traditional program or seniors forced out of Medicare and into profit-driven HMOs.

Honoring America's Obligation to Health Care for Vets. Dan Maffei will ensure the continued strength of the Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals in Upstate New York. He supports Democratic proposals to increase VA funding to help the 60,000 veterans now waiting six months or more for an appointment at a VA hospital.

http://www.maffeiforcongress.com/healthcare.cfm