By Phil Hare 

Health care, prescription drugs and Social Security are top issues people raise with me. I share the concerns so many of you have and I want you to know where I stand on each issue.

-- Social Security:

Social Security is the main source of retirement income/security for so many in this district. I support Social Security and I oppose risky privatization schemes. I want to fully fund Social Security and guarantee benefits for those who rely on it, and for future generations. I won't compromise when it comes to protecting it.

Social Security provides guaranteed benefits for 48 million Americans, is projected to have a surplus of funds until 2026, and has enough to pay full benefits until 2040. We need to fund it and protect it, not dismantle it or take money out for other agendas, like privatization. Rather than permanent tax cuts for millionaires, costing taxpayers $2 trillion, I'd use that money to guarantee Social Security for current/future retirees for generations to come.

President Bush's proposal to partially privatize Social Security, which my opponent supports, will cost over $700 billion. It could cut benefits for future retirees and increase our nation's deficit. Privatization undermines the guarantee of lifetime benefits. It's a bad idea for seniors and taxpayers. None of the privatization advocates, including Andrea Zinga, have presented real plans on how to make up for the billions in losses the system would incur if Social Security funds are taken out for privatization. We must look before we leap on this important issue. Guaranteeing Social Security is an issue on which I don't want a compromise, I want a guarantee for retirees.

-- Health Care:

While I was growing up, my family lost our home. It became impossible to pay for my father's health care and all our other bills. I don't want another family to be forced to choose between their health and their home.

I believe health care is a right, not a privilege. Every person should have quality, comprehensive, affordable health care that is close to home. You shouldn't have to be rich to get great care.

Working with Congressman Lane Evans, I helped secure funds to create and support clinics in Sterling, Moline, Rock Island, and Decatur. They serve several thousand patients a year. I'll build on that progress.

I support creating a universal health-care system. Recognizing it won't come about overnight, I'll push for intermediate improvements right away.

We can create a system that guarantees better care, while saving money. We can reduce administrative costs for doctors through streamlining. We need to invest more in preventive, routine care, rather than forcing people to wait until emergency room visits are required. We need to leverage the buying power of government to reduce prices. The best way to achieve those goals is through a public system, available to everyone.

-- Prescription Drugs:

I want to help reduce the cost of prescription drugs, I think the government should negotiate for cheaper drugs -- just like the VA does, and I oppose the new Medicare Part D program that is costly, confusing and inadequate.

That plan forces seniors to pay $3,600 out of pocket for drugs while they're in the donut-hole coverage gap. The drug companies have too much influence in Washington and pushed this plan to cover their interests, not those of seniors. I know the seniors in this district who have struggled to understand the confusing and burdensome plan. They are frustrated with its price and inadequacy. I'll work to fix it.

All of us pay through our tax dollars to subsidize the work of the drug companies. They use those funds to make drugs and then turn huge profits. Yet they refuse to give consumers a break on prices. That's not fair. Drugs should be cheaper and no insurance company should prevent anyone from getting the drugs their doctor prescribes.

-- Medicare:

Medicare must continue to be funded and functional for the seniors and people with disabilities depending on it. Medicare has been a success although funding is projected to rise as baby boomers age.

We need to address the growing needs and growth in Medicare, but it's important to recognize that Medicare is a good deal for Americans. The answer to new challenges is not privatization. The administrative costs for Medicare are less than private insurance and Medicare benefits cost less than private plans. We should consider ways to reduce Medicare costs overall, not cut Medicare benefits. We could start by requiring Medicare to negotiate for lower-cost drugs. The law passed by House Republicans prohibits this practice. The best plan, however, is to provide universal care.

-- Tort Reform:

I'm concerned about unfair/unjustifiable costs doctors have to pay for insurance. The best way to cut those costs is to pass insurance reform. I'm committed to doing that in Congress.

Phil Hare of Rock Island, former district director for U.S. Rep. Lane Evans, is the Democrat candidate for his seat.