CA Congressional Candidates Weigh In On Health Care Reform

May 24--As the June 5 primary approaches, the Daily Press asked the 13 candidates running for the newly drawn 8th Congressional District representing the High Desert to weigh in on this question, in 50 words or less: How would yo u ad d re s s h e a l t h -- c a re reform?

"I would begin by voting to take health care out of the hands of the federal government where it doesn't belong, and then partner with the states to encourage a state-level approach to solving many of our health-care problems."

-- Anthony A d a m s , N o Pa r t y P re fe re n ce, businessman and attorney from Hesperia.

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"I don't think there is any silver bullet on health-care reform. I believe it is going to be a long daunting task. T h e Pat i e n t P ro t e c t i o n and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is not the health c a re A m e r i c a re q u i re s . Imbedded issues within the plan were not verified and many problems still exist."

-- Dennis Albertsen, R, Navy veteran from Apple Valley

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"Single payer so we can save 30 percent off the top in claim and insurance broker commission costs and give people physician choice and control over their care."

-- Jackie Conaway, D, law office manager from Phelan

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"Obamacare is fundamentally flawed. If it survives the court's review, I'll vote to repeal it. Regardless, it's clear that we need changes to health care. We can't ignore a big problem like this and think it will disappear. We need a collaborative solution, not the solution of a single Democratic administration."

-- Pa u l C o o k , R , assemblyman from Yucca Valley

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"Everyone is entitled to high quality 'basic' health care. Like used to be delivered at 'great public hospitals' like Bellevue or LA County... Or, like high quality 'basic' police protection has always been provided. It's the 'beyond' basic, what that is and how to pay for it, that is to be defined.

-- George Craig, R, plastic surgeon from Apple Valley

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" Move t o re p e a l Obamacare. It is unconstitutional for the federal government to mandate anyone to purchase anything. The largest single cost to our health-care system is providing services to those who are not U.S. citizens. This must be stopped."

-- Gregg Imus, R, custom home builder from Lake Arrowhead

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"We must begin with the repeal of Obamacare. The private sector is the answer to any level of affordable medical insurance and cannot be accomplished until federal regulations are removed from the industry with incentives placed for large-scale performance."

-- Bill Jensen, R, real estate broker from Hesperia

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"In June, the Supreme Court hopefully will d e c l a re O b a m ac a re unconstitutional and if the whole law is not thrown out, I will vote to repeal what is left.

"We need Tort reform. ... We also need to start allowing health insurance companies to compete ... to garner the best prices."

-- Phillip Liberatore, R, taxpayer advocate and businessman from Lake Arrowhead

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"I will fight to repeal the Healthcare Reform Bill and replace it with targeted legislation that will encourage competition in the market, thereby driving costs down to make health-care coverage affordable and accessible to all who want it. Health care should be reformed, but not in an all-encompassing sweep."

-- Ryan McEachron, R, small business owner and mayor of Victorville

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"We need to repeal Obamacare. Imposing thousands of dollars of fines on employers and individuals who can't afford health care will kill jobs and hurt those the law is intended to help. Congress must promote innovation and competition in order to ensure Medicare benefits continue to reach seniors."

-- Brad Mitzelfelt, R, San Bernardino County 1st District Supervisor from Wrightwood

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"Ca p m a l p rac t i ce awards at $500,000. This will lower the insurance doctors pay. Allow people to buy health insurance across state lines. Encourage employers to assist workers with group plans. Give incentives to doctors and patients who pay cash. Unnecessary testing would save a lot. Repeal the Individual mandate."

-- Joseph Napolitano, R, self-employed handyman from Helendale

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"The system currently in place is rampant with waste and fraud. Hospitals charge different prices, depending on who is paying for it. Just as importantly, health care reform is not just about health insurance. It should also be about keeping people healthier in the first place, for example through preventative medicine."

-- John Pinkerton, D, counselor at Silverado High School who lives in Pinon Hills

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"I think there is a definite need to help our elderly and disabled, and I think it's admirable to want every American to be insured, but it is unconstitutional to force someone to have insurance, plain and simple. There is a better way to accomplish this goal."

-- A n ge l a Va l l e s , R, finance director at Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority and Victorville councilwoman

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