|
John Neely Kennedy on Health Care
Democratic Senate Challenger (LA)
|
|
|
Allow drug re-importation and bulk purchasing
I’ll work hard every day to reduce the cost of health care, health insurance and prescription drugs and make certain that all Americans and all Louisianians have affordable access to quality medical treatment. - Allow Americans to buy prescription
drugs from Canada and other countries online or by mail.
- Allow the federal government to receive volume discounts for the purchase of pharmaceutical drugs, just like Wal-Mart, HMO’s, the Veterans Administration, the Department of Defense and state
Medicaid programs do already.
- Allow and encourage small businesses to form purchasing pools in order to purchase health insurance at a lower price.
- Cut the red tape that keeps generic drugs off the market through reform of our patent laws.
The average brand name drug costs $72. The average generic drug costs $17.
- Expand the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
- Provide more funding for Wellness Programs and Lifestyle Management Programs.
Source: 2004 Senate campaign website, www.johnkennedy.com, “Issues”
, Oct 20, 2004
Refundable tax credit for the uninsured
Here’s what we need to do: - Provide a refundable tax credit that the uninsured can only use to buy health insurance. Much of the cost of this program will be offset by the $38 billion a year spent in federal tax monies we now spend to pay
hospitals for treating the uninsured in their emergency rooms.
- Give all Americans access to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program-the same health insurance provided to members of Congress and other federal workers.
Source: 2004 Senate campaign website, www.johnkennedy.com, “Issues”
, Oct 20, 2004
Allow gov’t workers options for Medicare-only tax
Public employees in Louisiana hired before April 1, 1986, now have the option under federal and state law to pay Medicare only tax, according to State Treasurer Kennedy. “I supported state and federal legislation to give public employees this option,”
said Kennedy. “There are many government employees in our state who would like to pay Medicare only tax so that when they turn 65 they will be covered by Medicare.” Public employees hired after March 31, 1986, already pay Medicare only tax.
Source: Treasurer’s press release, “New Medicare Option”
, Aug 2, 2004
Big Tobacco is Too Big of a Risk-divest tobacco settlement
I have been a leading advocate for selling at least a portion of Louisiana’s tobacco settlement. I believe it is the prudent, fiscally responsible thing to do: We have no assurance that Big Tobacco will be able to meet its obligation to the state.
Louisiana was awarded $4.6 billion as part of a national $246 billion tobacco settlement. That amount is to be paid in annual payments of about $180 million each year over 25 years. In the meantime, Big Tobacco has other legal challenges to contend
with. The tobacco industry is under fire from the federal government and over 100 private plaintiffs.
The state’s annual payments are tied to consumption figures. In fact, payments are already below original projections. By maintaining
the status quo, we’re gambling on Big Tobacco’s future. It’s too big of a risk! I believe the state should begin taking steps today to put into place a mechanism to lessen our risks by selling all or a portion of the state’s income.
Source: Treasurer’s Opinion Columns, “Big Tobacco”
, Jan 1, 2001
Supports Congressionally repealing Affordable Care Act.
Neely Kennedy supports the AFA survey question on ObamaCare
The American Family Association Action Voter Guide asked if candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Congress should repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).'
American Family Association Action (AFA Action) produces the online "iVoterGuide" for selected state and federal races. The mission of AFA Action is to inform and mobilize individuals to strengthen the biblical foundations of America.
Source: American Family Association survey 16AFA_Q5 on Nov 8, 2016
Page last updated: Apr 17, 2020
