The Iowa 2008 blog is a companion to AARP Iowa's Voices for the Future. Conversations reported here are the views of attendees and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of AARP. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that does not endorse any candidates nor make contributions to political parties or candidates.
Decorah, Iowa
Concerned citizens gathered on the campus of Luther College in Decorah to discuss the issues of health care and financial security.
The group evaluated the three approaches and came to a consensus that the government should not only provide a safety net for all U.S. citizens, but also provide a plan to make healthcare affordable for all. They called for equal protection for fear that the middle class would disappear if such protections didn’t surface. They agreed that the plan should allow for all to have access and should let individuals make choices on which doctors they would go to. The group also believed strongly that government should provide a stronger safety net for financial security and improve the Social Security system to ensure that it will exist for future generations.
One participant argued that if the government were to implement a universal healthcare system, the burden and cost would be lifted from the businesses and individuals, which would allow them to have more to save and spend, and, thus stimulate business.
The group also discussed the question: Is it possible to have a socialized or universal healthcare system and still offer incentives to doctors to provide top medical care to patients?
Comments
Both Kucinich's and Gravel's participation would add gravity and make this (and the one in October) a fair debate. One has to wonder why they were not invited. Then at least they could decline the invitation as Obama did if they wished not to participate. Kucinich in particular has long advocated universal health care, as put forward in House Resolution 676, and as stated in his campaign literature: "We must establish streamlined national health insurance, "Enhanced Medicare for Everyone." It would be publicly financed health care, privately delivered, and will put patients and doctors back in control of the system. Coverage will be more complete than private insurance plans; encourage prevention; and include prescription drugs, dental care, mental health care, and alternative and complementary medicine."
Posted by: Larry White | September 17, 2007 12:54 PM
I want you to know there are millions of us who DEMAND the Dennis Kucinich be included in the Iowa AARP debates. Dennis has the very best health care plan and we want his message heard.
Posted by: Judy Alva | September 21, 2007 01:53 AM