HealthCareForAmericaNow

Health Care for America Now (HCAN) sent the candidates in the race for Minnesota’s 3rd 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 call 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 Erik Paulsen did not respond to requests sent to his campaign offices. Democratic Candidate Ashwin Madia sent HCAN a sign-on saying that he is committed to quality, affordable health care for all. 

So, where do the candidates for Minnesota's 3rd District stand on health care and why?

 

Compare the candidates' plans:

Ashwin Madia		Erik Paulsen
Supports a plan to provide quality, affordable health care for all.	Does it cover everyone?	Voted against expanding health care coverage to children in Minnesota.
Madia’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. Luetkemeyer 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?	Supports proposals that virtually eliminate the ability of states to have strong health insurance protections for consumers and patients..

 

Since Mr. Paulsen 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.

Erik Paulsen’s positions are on the side of the special interests of the insurance and pharmaceutical companies. He voted against expanding coverage to children in Minnesota and spoken out against allowing Medicare to negotiate prices with manufacturers. He is in favor of virtually eliminating the ability of Minnesota to regulate health insurance practices, and he supports Health Savings Accounts which shift the risk of health care costs from insurance companies on to individuals and families.

 

Erik Paulsen's record on health care:

Issue	Erik Paulsen's Record
Will He Guarantee Coverage for All?	Voted against expanding health care coverage to children in Minnesota.
Will He Make Health Care Affordable?	Authored a bill to create Health Savings Accounts for state employees which burden individuals with high health care costs. Opposes allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices.
Will He Make Sure You Are Covered for All Necessary Benefits?	Authored a bill to allow health insurers to sell policies in Minnesota that do not have to offer important benefits mandated by the state of Minnesota.
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 Erik Paulsen'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 Madia and Paulsen campaigns.

Email Erik Paulsen and tell him to support quality, affordable health care for all

Email Ashwin Madia and thank him for supporting quality, affordable health care for all