Positions and Views of Mike McIntyre
on Prescription Drugs
| Currently Elected US Congress District 7, North Carolina |
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Mike McIntyre's positions and views on the issues:
Links are only provided where we have information. The first link is a
report of all issues and questions made available to the candidates.
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List of Issues | Biographical | Reasons & Objectives | Economy | Health & Medical | Medical Insurance | Environment | Transportation | Military & Defense | Veterans | Education | Prescription Drugs | Food & Agriculture
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| Prescription Drugs |
Positions and Views |
| Prescription Drugs, a General Statement |
In addition to increasing health care access for our residents, I am also committed to improving the quality of care for our senior citizens. As the cost of prescription drugs continues to rise, many seniors find they can no longer afford the medicine they need to live healthy lives. Our seniors deserve a sensible, balanced, and fair Medicare-prescription drug benefit that will help the individuals who need it most. No senior should have to make the choice between buying groceries and purchasing the monthly medicine needed to live a healthy life.
On December 8, 2003, the Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act of 2003 was signed into law. Although I was supportive of several of the bill's provisions, I was unable to support it because it fell far short of protecting our nation's senior citizens in the availability and affordability of prescription drugs. I am confident that we can provide a better benefit than the new law, which makes seniors pay $4000 for $1000 of benefits. We can also do better than letting thousands of retirees in North Carolina lose their prescription drug benefit coverage from their former employees. Furthermore, we should not be at the mercy of private insurance companies to deliver fair and cheap prescription drug coverage to our seniors. Medicare controls the plan I support -- not the private sector. This ensures that Medicare beneficiaries have access to quality pharmaceuticals regardless of where they choose to live.
Throughout the U.S. Congress's consideration of the Medicare Prescription Drug Bill, I supported several measures that would have vastly improved the bill. I voted repeatedly to reject the privatization of Medicare and provide for a defined drug benefit for seniors. I also voted to improve rural health care, in addition to providing increases in Medicare reimbursements to physicians and increased payments to hospitals. Unfortunately, none of these measures passed the U.S. House, but I will continue the fight to [Response was truncated to maximum response length of 2000 characters.]
Source: Candidate Website (10/04/2008) |
| Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program for Seniors |
In addition to increasing health care access for our residents, I am also committed to improving the quality of care for our senior citizens. As the cost of prescription drugs continues to rise, many seniors find they can no longer afford the medicine they need to live healthy lives. Our seniors deserve a sensible, balanced, and fair Medicare-prescription drug benefit that will help the individuals who need it most. No senior should have to make the choice between buying groceries and purchasing the monthly medicine needed to live a healthy life.
On December 8, 2003, the Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act of 2003 was signed into law. Although I was supportive of several of the bill's provisions, I was unable to support it because it fell far short of protecting our nation's senior citizens in the availability and affordability of prescription drugs. I am confident that we can provide a better benefit than the new law, which makes seniors pay $4000 for $1000 of benefits. We can also do better than letting thousands of retirees in North Carolina lose their prescription drug benefit coverage from their former employees. Furthermore, we should not be at the mercy of private insurance companies to deliver fair and cheap prescription drug coverage to our seniors. Medicare controls the plan I support -- not the private sector. This ensures that Medicare beneficiaries have access to quality pharmaceuticals regardless of where they choose to live.
Source: Candidate Website (10/04/2008) |
| Medicare Beneficiaries without Prescription-drug Coverage |
Budget cuts at the state level threaten the stability of Medicare and Medicaid funding that many of our providers depend on for services. As our health care providers struggle to account for the shortfall in Medicare payments, they are often forced to reduce staff salaries, cut services, or limit investment in technology, equipment, and infrastructure. These sacrifices not only jeopardize quality care, but also limit the number of patients hospitals can afford to serve. With over 15% of North Carolina's population living without health insurance, we must ensure that our hospitals, health centers, home health agencies, and hospices, receive enough funding to meet the growing need for health services. In order to protect these important services, I will continue working to provide immediate financial relief to local and state governments to prevent reductions in Medicare and Medicaid assistance.
Source: Candidate Website (10/04/2008) |
| These are available issue topics for which there were no responses. |
| Medicare Prescription Drug Plans |
| Safety of Prescription Drugs |
| Importing Prescription Drugs from Canada |
| Safety of Imported Drugs |
| Increasing Prescription Drug Competition |
| Negotiating Pharmaceutical Prices |
| Bringing Generic Drugs on the Market Sooner |
| Prescription Drug Marketing |
| Regulating Drug Advertising, Like Cigarettes and Alcohol |