Michele Bachmann Watch, 8/23/08: Q&A with MB's opponent

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from the DumpMicheleBachmann blog:



Dump Bachmann readers' Q-and-A with Bachmann opponent Bob Anderson


Here is the online question-and-answer session with 6th District congressional candidate Bob Anderson. Anderson is a dental health technician who lives in Woodbury. He plans to challenge Michele Bachmann in November and hopes to debate with her and the other candidates in a public forum soon.

Anderson is running on the Independence Party (IP) ticket, but did not receive the endorsement of the IP. Instead, the IP decided not to run an endorsed candidate this year and to support DFL candidate Elwyn Tinklenberg.

Anderson’s decision to run anyway led this writer to damn him as “just another splitter,” a candidate who stood no chance of winning but could help the Bachmann campaign by drawing away votes from her more likely opponents on election day. I don’t intend to vote for Mr. Anderson--but after he wrote into the blog I was pleased to find out that he is a forthcoming and personable conservative candidate who is particularly passionate about mental illness health care reforms.

So here are some questions and comments for Bob Anderson, followed by his answers to the commenters. I’ve put the topics in order, corrected some spelling and some grammar, and left out the commenters’ names to make the reading easier.

Comment: (Mr. Anderson said he is) "Not a supporter of Universal Health Care run by the government. Interested in having individuals being able to get the same access as those in employer sponsor's plan."

So, my employer, public school health plan that costs $10,000+ out of pocket in premiums for family coverage and then only covers 80% of costs: He wants that for everyone? And then we can only see a Doctor that Health PArtners authorizes, not our own. Good plan buddy.

Anderson: …thank you for your feedback. What I mean about access and cost is that you should be able to purchase a plan like a health savings account or any major plan available,at the same rate and qualifying eligibility as when you apply under a employee sponsored plan. There should be no discrimination based on pre-existing conditions, and you should be able to go to the doctor of your choice. You should also be able to take a tax deduction for your premiums and I also think companies that provide great health insurance should receive credit also. Private insurance will have to change their ways if they want to participate in this arena along with government plans. I am not against some participation of government, I just don't think they should be the only choice.

Comment: What does the following quote from Bob Anderson mean? "I am very interested in mental health parity. Michele Bachmann voted against that bill. They own six mental health parity - her and her husband." I have no clue about this issue, or what this refers to, or what it means that Michele and her husband "own six mental health parity."

Anderson: The mental health parity bill originated with Senator Paul Wellstone. The bill has been in congress for over 12 years. The bill would require health insurance companies that offer coverage for mental health, to cover mental and physical equally. They are treated with different co-pays, higher deductibles, less visits allowed, and life time caps. This is and has been one of the most universal forms of discrimination. This illness affects all walks of life, all races, gender, religions, lifestyle preferences ,cultures. Every human being should have the same coverage for your brain illnesses as with any other physical illnesses. Insurance companies have gotten away with this for too long and it is finally time to put an end to it.

Michele Bachmann and her husband Marcus own six mental health care clinics with twenty-seven psychologists. One of the most important aspects of this bill would help break down the stigma associated with this disease. I find it unacceptable that anyone in this profession would be against passage of this bill. It is a clear example of putting insurance lobbyist interests head of benefiting society. I welcome the debate with Congresswoman Bachmann on this issue. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://dumpbachmann.blogspot.com/2008/08/dump-bachmann-readers-q-and-with.html