Democratic Presidential Candidates Discuss Health Care Issues At Cancer Forum In Iowa

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 30 Aug 2007 - 13:00 PST

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Four Democratic presidential candidates on Monday at a cancer forum in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, discussed issues related to the disease and health care, the AP/Houston Chronicle reports. At the forum, the candidates -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.), former Sen. John Edwards (N.C.), Rep. Dennis Kucinich (Ohio) and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson -- cited the need for additional funds for cancer research. They also said that President Bush has allowed ideological concerns to affect decisions on embryonic stem cell and other research.

Clinton said that Bush has led an "assault on science and research." Richardson called for a "surge in the war on cancer" (Glover, AP/Houston Chronicle, 8/27). In addition, Richardson said that, as president, he would appoint a "cancer czar or Cabinet-level leader" (Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 8/28). Edwards called Bush the "most anti-science president in history" (AP/Houston Chronicle, 8/27).

He also criticized Clinton for her acceptance of campaign contributions from health insurers and pharmaceutical companies (Snyder, The Hill, 8/27). According to Edwards, health insurers, pharmaceutical companies and their lobbyists "killed the health care reform" Clinton proposed in the 1990s.

Clinton said that her acceptance of campaign contributions from health insurers and pharmaceutical companies has not prevented her promotion of proposals to expand health insurance and revise prescription drug regulations (Chicago Tribune, 8/28). She said, "My record shows I've been very effective," adding, "I believe in working with everybody and being influenced by nobody" (AP/Houston Chronicle, 8/27).

Other Issues
Clinton and Edwards also differed on the implementation of bans on smoking in public places. Clinton said that state and local governments should implement smoking bans, but Edwards said that the federal government should implement a national ban (Powell, Hearst/San Francisco Chronicle, 8/28).

Kucinich said that he was "singularly positioned" to address the health care issue because of his vegan lifestyle. The Lance Armstrong Foundation sponsored the forum, which was televised by MSNBC and hosted by Chris Matthews (Chicago Tribune, 8/28).

Richardson in New Hampshire
Richardson on Sunday at the home of a school board member in Dover, N.H., discussed health care and other issues, Foster's Daily Democrat reports. At the event, Richardson said that all U.S. residents should have access to high-quality health care and the same health insurance as members of Congress.

He also said that veterans should have the ability to obtain health care at any facility. In addition, Richardson accused HMOs of "ripping off the system," as health insurers "pad their bottom lines" (Ober, Foster's Daily Democrat, 8/27).

Kucinich in Maine
Meanwhile, Kucinich on Sunday in Portland, Maine, discussed his health care proposal at a meeting held at a Teamsters union hall, the Portland Press Herald reports. The proposal, part of a bill that Kucinich co-sponsored with Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), would establish a not-for-profit, single-payer health care system. Kucinich said, "Health care for profit is over. It's done" (Aull, Portland Press Herald, 8/27).

Bill Clinton Addresses Health Care in New Book
Former President Bill Clinton in a new book defends the efforts of his administration to revise the health care system, a proposal that he maintains "was killed by politics, not the plan's particulars," the AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Clinton praises Ira Magaziner as a "brilliant social entrepreneur." Magaziner, who currents leads the Clinton Foundations HIV/AIDS programs, "spearhead the administration's failed health care reform effort," according to the AP/Journal-Constitution. "Giving," scheduled for publication on Sept. 4, discusses efforts to address public health and other global issues.

However, the book also promotes "his successes in the White House and gets in several glowing mentions of his wife" and "some subtle digs at Republicans, including President Bush," the Journal-Constitution reports. According to the book, since Clinton left office, the number of uninsured U.S. residents has increased, and health insurance premiums have increased by 90% (Fouhy, AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 8/27).

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