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Jon Tester on Health Care

Democratic Jr Senator

 


ObamaCare not perfect, but has helped

Q: Support or Repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as ObamaCare? Position on Medicaid expansion?

Matt Rosendale (R): Repeal. "I won't give up on repealing & replacing ObamaCare." Voted against MT Medicaid expansion.

Jon Tester (D): Support. Not perfect, but has helped rural hospitals & health centers, provided families with coverage, & stopped big insurance companies from denying folks coverage. Supports Medicaid expansion.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Montana Senate race , Oct 9, 2018

Protect people with pre-existing medical conditions

Tester defended the Affordable Care Act at times, citing provisions that protect people with pre-existing medical conditions and protect sick people from having their insurance policies terminated. There are parts of the health care bill "that will help" working families and small businesses, he said. "To listen to the Congressman talk, you would think that the old system was just grand. It wasn't grand," Tester said.
Source: Daily Inter Lake on 2012 Montana Senate debates , Oct 14, 2012

Families can't afford to get sick; that's not health care

You need somebody back in Washington DC who'll address the health care problems in this country. Right now, when families can't afford to get sick, that's not health care. We're 19th in the world; we didn't used to be that way. You want to talk about medical research? We're in the process of under-funding the National Institute of Health, so our medical research is going to start heading to the Pacific Rim, under this current administration's watch. That's not the right direction.
Source: 2006 Montana 3-way Senate Debate at MSU , Oct 9, 2006

Negotiate for lower prescription drug prices

Last year in the Montana Legislature, I sponsored and passed a bipartisan bill to provide real prescription drug relief, cover low-income seniors, and negotiate lower drug prices for Montana senior citizens. I'm serious about making health care more affordable and cutting the federal deficit. In the US Senate, I'll work to bring the benefit package we delivered to Montanans to the whole country. It's simple - negotiating for lower prescription drug prices saves tax dollars and helps seniors."
Source: 2006 Senate campaign website, testerforsenate.com, "Issues" , Feb 3, 2006

Extend enrollment period for new Medicare

Surveys show that a majority of seniors don't understand the new federal drug benefit. With less than 10% of Montana seniors signed on to the new plan, it's clear that people simply need more time to enroll in the new federal program. I urge Senator Burns to reconsider his actions and to support extending the enrollment period. Penalizing thoughtful seniors for carefully considering their health care options isn't fair.
Source: 2006 Senate campaign website, testerforsenate.com, "Issues" , Feb 3, 2006

People can't afford to get sick

The healthcare crisis that Montana and the United States faces today is the most pressing issue upon us. People can't afford to get sick. Affordable, accessible, quality healthcare is critical if our economy is to flourish. We can't forget health care problems such as the high costs of prescription drugs. Montana's seniors, disabled and our most vulnerable citizens should never have to make the decision between buying food to eat or prescription drugs.
Source: 2006 Senate campaign website, TesterForSenate.com, "Issues" , Dec 25, 2005

Merge Alzheimers diagnosis and care benefit.

Tester co-sponsored HOPE for Alzheimer's Act

Congressional Summary:The purpose of this Act is to increase diagnosis of Alzheimer`s disease and related dementias, leading to better care and outcomes for Americans living with Alzheimer`s disease and related dementias. Congress makes the following findings:

  1. As many as half of the estimated 5.2 million Americans with Alzheimer`s disease have never received a diagnosis.
  2. An early and documented diagnosis and access to care planning services leads to better outcomes for individuals with Alzheimer`s disease.
  3. Combining the existing Medicare benefits of a diagnostic evaluation and care planning into a single package of services would help ensure that individuals receive an appropriate diagnosis as well as critical information about the disease and available care options.

Proponent`s argument for bill: (The Alzheimer`s Association, alz.org). The `Health Outcomes, Planning, and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer`s Act` (S.709/H.R. 1507) is one of the Alzheimer`s Association`s top federal priorities for the 113th Congress. The HOPE for Alzheimer`s Act would improve diagnosis of Alzheimer`s diseas

Source: S.709/H.R. 1507 13-S0709 on Apr 11, 2013

Keep healthcare mandate, according to CC survey.

Tester opposes the CC survey question on healthcare mandate

The Christian Coalition Voter Guide inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Repealing the Nationalized Health Care System that Forces Citizens to Buy Insurance ' Christian Coalition's self-description: "Christian Voter Guide is a clearing-house for traditional, pro-family voter guides. We do not create voter guides, nor do we interview or endorse candidates."

Source: Christian Coalition Surve 18CC-5 on Jul 1, 2018

Preserve access to Medicaid & SCHIP during economic downturn.

Tester co-sponsored preserving access to Medicaid & SCHIP in economic downturn

A bill to preserve access to Medicaid and the State Children`s Health Insurance Program during an economic downturn.

Source: Economic Recovery in Health Care Act (S.2819) 2008-S2819 on Apr 7, 2008

Expand the National Health Service Corps.

Tester signed Access for All America Act

    A bill to achieve access to comprehensive primary health care services for all Americans and to reform the organization of primary care delivery through an expansion of the Community Health Center and National Health Service Corps programs. Amends the Public Health Service Act to:
  1. increase and extend the authorization of appropriations for community health centers and for the National Health Service Corps scholarship and loan repayment program for FY2010-FY2015, and provide for increased funding for such programs in FY2016 and each subsequent fiscal year; and
  2. revise and expand provisions allowing a community health center to provide services at different locations, adjust its operating plan and budget, enter into arrangements with other centers to purchase supplies and services at reduced cost, and correct material failures in grant compliance.
Source: S.486&HR1296 2009-S486 on Mar 4, 2009

Other candidates on Health Care: Jon Tester on other issues:
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