Editor's note: This is the fourth report in a six-week series dealing with issues in the race for Congress in the 20th District.

By MAURY THOMPSON, [email protected]
Sunday, October 8, 2006 7:41 AM EDT

Management and workers in the health care industry have taken a keen interest in the congressional race between incumbent U.S. Rep. John Sweeney, R-Clifton Park, and his Democratic opponent, Kirsten Gillibrand.

Hospital and medical clinic executives from Albany to Lake Placid had contributed $12,550 to Sweeney's campaign as of the most recent report on Aug. 23.

Physician and hospital related trade organizations had contributed $30,750 to his campaign, as of Aug. 23.

Gillibrand had received $5,000 from the Service Employees International Union, a large, politically active health care workers union. The union's New York affiliate has endorsed Gillibrand and is providing volunteers and use of the union's phone bank to Gillibrand's campaign.

The Post-Star invited both candidates to submit essays outlining their policies on health care. Gillibrand, in a prepared statement on health care policy, proposed the federal government allow individuals and businesses to buy coverage under the federal Medicare system.

Medicare is a health insurance program for the elderly and disabled. The program has a 3 percent overhead, compared with 30 percent for private insurers, said Gillibrand, a lawyer from Hudson.

Expanding the Medicare program could compound perennial budget battles between hospital executives and the federal government over Medicare payment rates, which hospital officials say are not adequate.

Gillibrand, however, said expanding Medicare could improve hospital finances by decreasing the amount of uncompensated care provided to people without health insurance.

Gillibrand also criticized a Medicare prescription drug benefit that was supported by President Bush.

Sweeney, in a prepared statement, said hospitals are among the largest employers in most counties of the 20th District. A four-term incumbent, Sweeney pointed to federal funding he has helped arrange for area hospitals and health care systems.

He said he opposed proposed reductions in funding for rural health clinics and hospitals.

Sweeney's policy statement follows a general theme in his campaign of emphasizing federal funding he has helped arrange in his role as a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND ON HEALTH CARE

 

The first step to improving health care is to stop the drug and insurance companies from controlling policy in Congress.

With 47 million Americans uninsured and health care costs sharply increasing for families and small businesses, we must make health care an economic security priority and find a way to provide everyone with an affordable quality health care option.

This year, taxpayers will receive a bill for $34 billion in emergency room care for the uninsured.

I propose allowing any individual, family or business the option of buying into Medicare at a rate they can afford.

This proposal pays for itself, and it will add competition to the system, since Medicare has a 3 percent overhead, compared to up to 30 percent for private insurers.

Our district demands that the VA and rural health care programs are fully funded and the government must be allowed to negotiate directly with the drug companies.

Congress failed our seniors by creating a prescription drug plan that resulted in a windfall for the prescription drug companies and a $3,000 "donut-hole" gap for our seniors.

While our seniors struggle to pay the bills, Congress voted to give $20 billion in subsidies to drug companies.

It is time for real leadership on health care.

JOHN SWEENEY ON HEALTH CARE

 

Health care is a critical priority, and I am fighting to keep doctors practicing in New York, recruiting nurses, expanding special health screenings such as mammograms, encouraging research for diseases, rooting out Medicaid fraud in NYS, fighting burdensome regulatory reforms and developing initiatives in the health Information Technology (IT) arena.

I have brought over $38 million in federal funding to health care providers, and I have fought for legislation that has saved or returned over $2.5 billion to NY's health care providers. Hospitals are in most cases the largest employer in each county, and I am working to ensure these hospitals remain economically viable while ensuring access to quality health care.

Last year, I opposed a painful budget bill that proposed cuts for rural health care, Medicaid, and the absence of a negotiation option between hospitals and managed plans that disproportionately hurt those who need help the most.

I have worked to bring significant funds to local emergency rooms, clinics, radiology units and health information technology programs. There has been a demand for major expansions at a number of hospitals in the region due to the continual growth of the population, and I will continue to bring federal money back to support these critical upgrades.