In Health Care, Cynthia McKinney Has Stated:
Insuring access to affordable and quality health care is a matter of national security for the United States. The number of uninsured and underinsured Americans is growing. I believe it is imperative to expand programs such as Medicaid and SCHIP to cover all uninsured Americans in the United States. In light of an economy that produces jobless growth, it is imperative that America's priorities be recalibrated to place a priority on people and not on war. In addition, I support providing an understandable and cost efficient prescription drug benefit to all Americans who need it. I am against any form of health care rationing or the use of a voucher-based system of health insurance.
Prescription Drugs
"I supported a prescription drug bill that was within Medicare, allowed people to choose their pharmacies, with no gap in coverage, and that reduces out-of-pocket costs. And perhaps most importantly, the bill I supported, provided for the Secretary of HHS to negotiate the price of prescription drugs for the entire nation. Not only would this plan save our seniors and others money, but it would save the nation money too." Those are the words of Congresswoman McKinney.
Unfortunately, that bill did not pass and instead the Republican majority passed the bill whose deadline for signing up is May 15, 2006. It is cumbersome and confusing. That's why Congresswoman McKinney held six prescription drug seminars with staff trained to enroll seniors so that Fourth Congressional District seniors and caregivers could make an informed decision on the multitude of plans available that are best for them.
Patient's Bill of Rights
Cynthia McKinney believes that people should have a right to assured and reliable medical care without worry of either their privacy or treatment being denied. She believes this to be a very important issue, as medical information continues to be shared without the knowledge and permission of patients.
Cynthia McKinney has been out front in recognizing the need to prevent insurance companies from limiting the care and attention that they provide or allow for patients as well as the need to have a system for appealing decisions made against treatment for patients by HMOs.
Participation
Cynthia McKinney was the first member of the Georgia delegation to join the Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus, whose mission is to continue education and support for present and future progress in the field of Biotechnology which will result in medical advancement and education for our youth.
Cynthia McKinney participated in the Heart and Stroke Coalition to raise awareness of the seriousness of cardiovascular disease and she is an ardent supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness and publicly participates in getting an annual mammogram.
