Candidates Questionnaire
Approximately one month ago all the candidates for the office of Governor in Georgia were sent a questionnaire by composed by individuals working on the Kids Healthcare Rally so that we could give each candidate the opportunity to respond to issues of importance to all of concerned about the state of children’s healthcare in Georgia today. We waited until the end of this month in an effort to give the candidates ample time to respond.
The questions were as follows:
1. Are you aware of the changes in healthcare policy implemented within the past two years that have significantly reduced the numbers of eligible children and the more changes that are reducing the amount of therapy services that are provided for those who still qualify?
2. If you answered "Yes" to Question I above, how would rate your support of those changes?
3. Do you believe that the healthcare services for the poor and disabled children are:
a. Below Average
b. About Right
c. Above Average
4. Describe any actions you have personally taken in the past that had an impact on healthcare for poor and disabled children.
5. What steps would you take (if elected) to address some of the concerns that our organization is raising? (Please be specific.)
6. Which is more important? (choose one)
a. Full comprehensive health coverage for all children with disabilities
b. Ending the tax paid to renew or purchase car tags
c. Eliminating the income tax on senior retirement income
7. Which of these statements best characterizes your primary view of Medicaid and PeachCare: (choose one)
a. Cost for these programs are out of control and eligibility and covered services need to be limited.
b. Represent the foundation and safety net of Georgia's health system ensuring a supply, of qualified providers in rural and urban areas.
c. These are health plans like private insurance coverage plans and should be administered as such.
8. Georgia's government (including contracting agencies) is currently in serving the health and medical needs of Georgia's children. (Choose one)
a. efficiently and effectively organized
b. overly bureaucratic and indifferent
c. perfectly positioned to control the cost
d. wasteful and inefficient in its spending practices
9. Please provide any other information that demonstrates your commitment to helping children covered by PeachCare for Kids and Medicaid receive the healthcare services that they need?
10. Would you agree to meet with our organization have an open dialogue regarding the issues that our children are currently facing?
As of October 31, 2006 only one candidate has chosen to respond to these questions.
Important Info
Monday, October 23, 2006
