Sunday, October 08, 2006

Simmons, Courtney Debate Medicare

Joe Courtney attacked Rob Simmons for his support of Medicare Part D yesterday in front of 200 people at the Mystic Hilton. The major arguments, as reported by The Day:
Republican incumbent Rob Simmons repeated his support for the recently passed GOP-backed prescription drug plan Saturday as his challenger, Democrat Joe Courtney, called its complexity “perverse” and suggested it was crafted with the help of major drug companies.
[...]
“I think it's a good proposal. I think it's a good start,” Simmons said. “Is it a perfect program? No.”
[...]
“(The Republican Congress) did not have the backbone to stand up to the special interests and lobbyists in Washington to create that obvious policy that is in the best interest of the public,” [Courtney] said.
[...]
[Courtney] wanted to free up the federal Health and Human Services Department to negotiate with drug companies for cheaper medications in a manner similar to the one currently employed by the Veterans Affairs Department.
[...]
“I don't want the government to choose my doctors and my pills,” [Simmons] said.
[...]
“What we have to do is start being more creative and imaginitive in (putting) new sources of revenue into the system, new demographics into the system that ... will make the program healthier and wealthier,” Courtney said.

“Joe referred to new sources of income, I assume that means higher taxes,” Simmons said with a shrug.

“Premiums, Rob,” Courtney interjected, shaking his head and taking a swig from a water bottle.
[...]
Polly Leonard, 73, of Colchester said she was leaning toward Courtney. The sparring over the Medicare Part D plan, however, left her unimpressed.

“They can take that doughnut hole and shove it,” she said. (Rainey)

A few things: Simmons says he doesn't want the government choosing our doctors and our pills. But I don't see how that's worse than letting Blue Cross and Blue Shield do the same. In a perfect world, neither the government nor the private insurance companies would have a say in who my doctor is, or what he or she prescribes me. But that world isn't this one.

Notice Simmons bringing taxes into the debate, again.

Lastly, how about a debate in Enfield? I have been informed that there will, indeed, be a debate in Enfield on Tuesday.

Source
Rainey, Richard. "Candidates Square Off On Medicare." The Day 8 October, 2006.

5 comments:

GMR said...

A few things: Simmons says he doesn't want the government choosing our doctors and our pills. But I don't see how that's worse than letting Blue Cross and Blue Shield do the same. In a perfect world, neither the government nor the private insurance companies would have a say in who my doctor is, or what he or she prescribes me. But that world isn't this one.

You can choose BCBS or another insurance company, or you can go it alone and just purchase out of your own pocket whatever medical care you want, whatever prescriptions, etc. But if the government makes the choices, would there still be alternatives, or would they have a monopoly?

I guess I don't understand what you want in your perfect world: unlimited access to everything, all the time, regardless of the cost, but no requirement on the end user to pay for these things?

Anonymous said...

I guess Simmons, who claims to be a veteran, wants to shut down the VA health system.

Frank Krasicki said...

The admission by Simmons that the programs are not perfect is an understatement of the reality of the situation.

The question quickly becomes, "If the program is not perfect and your party controls every political vehicle, why haven't the obvious problems been addressed instead of neglected?"

Furthermore, with the House of Representatives now looking like a Democratic rout, doesn't it make so much more sense for the 2nd District to participate in the majority of that body with someone as respected as Joe Courtney?

And Simmons, who has fallen in love with the idea that the accusation of "higher taxes" will stick has yet to explain the economic malfeasance practiced by his administration without so much as a wimper from Simmons. It's appalling that Simmons can stand by with barrels of taxpayer's money being squandered in plain view and watch him criticize a Democrat.

Unbelievable!

- Frank Krasicki
http://region19.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

when a private insurer raises premiums it is evidence of a crisis, but it;s exactly what Courtney wasnts to do with Medicare.

Genghis Conn said...

I stand corrected. I'll change the post.