HealthCareForAmericaNow

Health Care for America Now (HCAN) sent the candidates in the race for Illinois’ 11th Congressional District a sign-on form asking, “Which Side Are You On.” Are they on the side in support of quality, affordable health care we all can count on? Or are they on the side that advocates leaving us alone to fend for ourselves in the complicated, unregulated insurance market? The Republican candidate Martin Ozinga did not respond to requests sent to his campaign offices. Democratic Candidate Deborah Halvorson sent HCAN a sign-on saying that she is committed to quality, affordable health care for all. 

So, where do the candidates for Illinois' 11th District stand on health care and why?

 

Compare the candidates' plans:

Debbie Halvorson		Marty Ozinga
Supports a plan to provide quality, affordable health care for all.	Does it cover everyone?	Supports a “market-driven” plan that will cover only a fraction of our health insurance costs.
Halvorson’s plan controls out-of-pocket costs based on a family’s ability to pay.	Is it affordable for our families?	Favors health savings accounts with deductibles as high as $10,000.
Has committed to standard, comprehensive benefits that meet our families’ health care needs.	Will the plan meet our families’ needs?	Unknown. Ozinga refused to commit to a plan with comprehensive benefits.
Supports rules that require insurance companies to put people before profits.	Are there strong consumer protections?	Unknown. Ozinga declined to say whether he supports rules for insurance companies.

 

Since Mr. Ozinga did not reply, we looked at his policies, and it became very clear why he did not answer our simple question. His policies put him squarely on “the other side”—the side of leaving us alone to fend for ourselves in the complicated, unregulated insurance market.

Martin Ozinga’s positions are on the side of the special interests of the insurance and pharmaceutical companies. He has tried to dismiss the scope of the health care crisis by saying that “you go to the hospital and you get taken care of.” He is in favor of virtually eliminating the ability of states to regulate health insurance practices, and he supports Health Savings Accounts which shift the risk of health care costs from insurance companies onto individuals and families.

 

Marty Ozinga's record on health care:

Issue	Marty Ozinga's Record
Will He Guarantee Coverage for All?	Said health care is already available to all Americans because anyone can go to the hospital and be taken care of.
Will He Make Health Care Affordable?	Has come out firmly in favor of Health Savings Accounts which burden individuals with high health care costs.
Will He Make Sure You Are Covered for All Necessary Benefits?	Supports reform proposals that would allow insurers to drop important benefits mandated in different states.
Will He Make Sure You Are Protected from Insurance Company Bad Practices?	Supports reform proposals that virtually eliminate the ability of states to have strong health insurance protections for consumers and patients.

 

Click here for a detailed report on Marty Ozinga's record on health care. [pdf]

 

Take Action

Take action and tell these two candidates to support quality, affordable health care for all. Click below to email the Halvorson and Ozinga campaigns.

Email Marty Ozinga and tell him to support quality, affordable health care for all

Email Debbie Halvorson and thank her for supporting quality, affordable health care for all