Q&A on health care with U.S. Senate candidates

Associated Press

Question: What should Congress do to increase the availability of health insurance coverage to the uninsured? Should government take a larger role in providing health coverage, should it be left to the private sector, or a combination?

Sen. Mitch McConnell: "There are a number of common-sense steps Congress should take to lower health care costs and improve access to health insurance for all Americans, but I do not support a one-size-fits all government plan that will increase taxes, destroy jobs and limit patient choice in doctors and care.

Approximately half of uninsured Americans work for small businesses. I support allowing small businesses to band together (Association Health Plans) and use group negotiating power to purchase health insurance at a lower cost for their employees.

"We should expand access to health savings accounts, which protect families from catastrophic health costs while allowing them to save tax-free for out-of-pocket health expenses. More than one-third of Health Savings Account holders were previously uninsured.

"I have fought to reign in frivolous medical liability lawsuits, which drive up costs and make it harder for doctors to practice in rural Kentucky.

"We should do more to encourage preventative health care and healthy lifestyles and encourage innovations — like electronic health records, and university research — to make sure they get the best care possible when they do.

"Finally, we should reform our tax code, which provides big companies a tax deduction for health expenses but doesn't do the same for working families without insurance. We should act to level that playing field."

Bruce Lunsford: "Health care is one of the biggest issues affecting Kentucky's businesses and economic competitiveness.

"As health care costs continue to increase, many businesses are feeling the crunch on their bottom lines.

"There are currently 45 million uninsured Americans, including 8 million uninsured children.

"One of my top priorities as U.S. senator will be to ensure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care. Unfortunately, Mitch McConnell doesn't agree with this and has been obstructing efforts to expand access to affordable medical care for years.

"The government must also work to make health insurance more affordable for small businesses.

"As senator, I will push for tax incentives for small businesses to provide health care to their employees, as well as allowing them to pool their resources to purchase better care at more affordable prices."