Candidate Questions
& Responses
Leigh Pomeroy
DFL Candidate
for U.S. House of Representatives
1st Congressional District
How will the new federal
prescription drug benefit being implemented in 2006 help or hurt
the 9 million non-elderly disabled Americans receiving Medicare?
Would you support (or author) a technical amendment that would
make prescription drug coverage more accessible for persons with
disabilities-- persons who have dual eligibility under Medicare
and Medicaid?
The Medicare Prescription
Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003 is a disaster.
It is highly complex, creates a bureaucratic nightmare, and is
essentially a government welfare program for the large drug companies.
There is only one way to lower the cost of prescription drugs and
that is for the federal government to institute price controls.
We must have a simpler system for our seniors to use.
As long as it is law, however, I would support a technical amendment
to make drug coverage more affordable for persons with disabilities.
Currently in
38 states people with physical, sensory and cognitive disabilities,
who seek assistance from vocational rehabilitation programs are
being placed on a waiting list because the programs do not have
the funds to serve them. In view fact that studies -- including
studies conducted by the Congressional Budget Office -- have shown
on the average for every dollar put into rehabilitation programs,
the federal government will receive 9 dollars in tax revenue over
the persons working life, would you support increased funding and
support for vocational rehabilitation programs so all applicants
can be served and begin returning needed tax revenue to the federal
government?
Yes, I wholeheartedly
support increased funding for vocational rehabilitation programs.
The Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is commonly referred to as the
civil rights act for children with disabilities because it guarantees
access to a free and appropriate public education. The act is currently
being considered for reauthorization and both the House and Senate
bills significantly weaken key components of the current law that
ensure accountability. These include such things as opening the
door to the development of three year individual education plans
(IEP's), rather than one year; eliminating the requirement for
short term objectives to be included in IEP's; changing the way
parents are notified of their rights; making it easier for schools
to suspend or expel students with disabilities (even if the behavior
is related to the student's disability); and watering down due process
protections. If this bill is not reauthorized during the current
session of Congress, will you support reauthorizing an IDEA bill
next session that will not strip current rights from children with
disabilities and their families?
I support reauthorizing
an IDEA bill that does not strip current rights from children with
disabilities and their families.
Please outline your
thoughts on the proposal to "block grant" Medicaid funding
to the states, instead of the currently used formula.
We must continue to
support and build upon programs that assist persons with disabilities.
The problem with the block grant plan is that this may encourage
some states to reduce benefits, cap enrollment, and increase patient
cost for Medicaid services.
Do you support the Paul
Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act of 2003?
Yes.
How is Minnesota
doing in response to the 1999 US Supreme Court Olmstead decision?
Minnesota is doing
better than many states in implementing the Olmstead decision.
However, the current governor and state house seem to be more interested
in cutting taxes rather than supporting and expanding services.
This trend must be reversed.
How can the Medicare
system be altered to provide incentives for funding community-based,
versus institutional care or services to those who are "home-bound"?
The problem is not
finding solutions; it's funding those solutions. Unfortunately,
the current Administration and Congress are more interested in
fighting wars and bequeathing tax cuts to their wealthy friends
than in expanding community-based health care and health services.
Given
that recent government surveys show some 6,690 or 18.7% of Minnesotans
living in nursing homes express a preference to live in the community.
What is your position on MiCASSA (S.971 and H.R.2032) and Money
Follows the Person Act (S.1394 and H.R.1811)? Please elaborate
on the pros and cons to the legislation and the rationale behind
your position.
I strongly support
MiCASSA, the Medicaid Community Attendant Services and Supports
Act, and the Money Follows The Person Act.
http://pomeroyformn.org
