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Rhode Island

Rhode Island U.S. House of Representatives, District 2

Mark Zaccaria (R)

35 Congdon Hill Road
North Kingstown, RI 02874

Visit Candidate's Website
Phone number not available
parker@markz4ri.org

BIOGRAPHY

Born: January 27th, 1949, Boston, Massachusetts Education: BA, Colby College, Waterville, ME, 1970 Military Service: USAF Active Duty SEP 70 MAY 75 Highest Military Rank: Captain Military Duties: Flight Instructor, Air Training Command Career Highlights: Small Businessman MAY 75 FEB 83. Ship Repair Subcontractor & Oil Spill Remediation Contractor Career...

Q1: While the U.S. has made improvements in the number of children who have health insurance, many children remain uninsured. In addition, federal funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) will expire unless the program is reauthorized by March 2009. What priority do you place on SCHIP reauthorization? What can be done, if anything, to increase the number of children who have access to health insurance?

Maintaining existing healthcare programs is a priority, as is taking steps to insure that those scarce public benefits are being efficiently used. The long term solution to providing health care for all, however, is closely tied to the expansion of the productive economy. In that regard, I will work tirelessly to revitalize the American Economy so that its growth can benefit us all, in healthcare as in all other areas.

Q2: While the federal government has supported many initiatives to improve health care quality, these efforts often focus on adults and Medicare recipients. What steps, if any, would you support to enhance the quality of children's health care?

The healthcare quality enjoyed by children is closely tied to the ability of their parents to provide it for them and to understand how best to apply the care that is available. Upgrading the general ability of all parents to take responsibility for their children’s care is an Educational Problem. I would seek the cultural change of upgrading the importance most give to it. That’s done by Leadership.

Q3: Senator Menendez introduced S. 3277, the "Children's Budget Act," which would add a requirement to future federal budgets to list the different sources of federal funding for children's programs, thereby illustrating how the federal government prioritizes and allocates resources affecting children. What importance, if any, do you place on creating a Children's Budget and why?

As stated here, the creation of a Children's Budget is a mover towards greater transparency in the Federal Budget. As such I am in favor of making more information available to advocacy groups and the general public to allow them to be better consumers of their government. I will take care to insure that the cost of analyzing that data and making it public is not extreme.

Q4: Health care reform may be a big topic for Congressional debate in 2009. What initiatives, if any, would you proactively support? How do you see children's healthcare fitting into this larger debate?

The first & foremost action that Congress can take to positively impact US Healthcare is to Liberate the Economy and create an environment of double digit growth. As stated in Item 1, this will quickly improve our ability to access and pay for what is already the finest healthcare on earth.

Q5: Research shows that attendance at a preschool is a critical factor in improving children's readiness to enter kindergarten and promoting their long-term development and success. What, if anything, can or should be done to help states offer more high quality pre-K and early education opportunities for children?

Elementary Education has long been the purview of the States. The Federal Government should use its scope to coordinate efforts nationwide and to facilitate the development of plans and syllabi, making them available for use as needed by local programs.

Q6: Child poverty has been shown to have an effect on children's health, education, and development. What, if anything, would you do to reduce poverty among children in Rhode Island and throughout New England?

The first & foremost action that Congress can take to positively impact US Poverty Levels is to Liberate the Economy and create an environment of double digit growth. If government creates the opportunity for citizens to improve their conditions, I am confident that the American People will take it.

Q7: Every year, over one million American students fail to graduate from high school. What policy ideas are most important to you in working to increase graduation rates and strengthen America's public schools?

I believe that a cultural shift is needed where parents and extended families take a more active role in the education of their children. Through leadership and communication the government can encourage adults to demonstrate the Importance of education, and assist with reinforcement of standards of comportment, long term values, and dedication to study habits. Children grow up as members of the society that surrounds them. Let’s surround kids with a society of education.

Q8: Many New England states rank among the leaders in the U.S. for the lowest number of children without health insurance, but none have yet to reach the goal of all children having health coverage. What steps, if any, do you think need to be taken to attain this goal?

Liberate the Economy so that the opportunity exists to fund healthcare. Revise existing legislation to permit the largest number of health insurance providers to offer a full range of products to all Americans.

Respond to Candidate

Jim Langevin (D)

181-A Knight Street
Warwick, RI 02886

Visit Candidate's Website
(401) 737-7177
staff@jimlangevin.com

BIOGRAPHY

A leader on homeland security, health care and stem cell research, Jim Langevin was first elected to Congress in 2000. He serves on the Homeland Security and Intelligence Committees. He is a graduate of Rhode Island College and the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.

Q1: While the U.S. has made improvements in the number of children who have health insurance, many children remain uninsured. In addition, federal funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) will expire unless the program is reauthorized by March 2009. What priority do you place on SCHIP reauthorization? What can be done, if anything, to increase the number of children who have access to health insurance?

Protecting the health of our children is not only the right thing to do, it is a crucial investment in the long term health of our communities. The preservation and expansion of SCHIP tops my list of priorities in Congress. I was disappointed that President Bush vetoed two attempts to reauthorize and expand SCHIP; however, I will continue to fight for a strong reauthorization that includes increased funding and achieves higher enrollment eligibility.

Q2: While the federal government has supported many initiatives to improve health care quality, these efforts often focus on adults and Medicare recipients. What steps, if any, would you support to enhance the quality of children's health care?

Enhancing the quality of health care for our children requires not only an expansion of insurance, but an investment in research, preventative care and evidence-based medicine geared to the proper treatment of our children. While I will continue to support our SCHIP and Medicaid programs, I will also advocate increased funding for children's health programs conducted and supported by the National Institutes of Health, including the National Children's Study.

Q3: Senator Menendez introduced S. 3277, the "Children's Budget Act," which would add a requirement to future federal budgets to list the different sources of federal funding for children's programs, thereby illustrating how the federal government prioritizes and allocates resources affecting children. What importance, if any, do you place on creating a Children's Budget and why?

I certainly appreciate the goals behind the creation of a children's budget as proposed by Senator Menendez, since it is time we stop overlooking the most vulnerable members of our society. However, I believe it is even more critical to ensure that the proper funding flows to children's programs. I will continue to push for robust funding for a broad array of programs that include early childhood education, children's health insurance and child care.

Q4: Health care reform may be a big topic for Congressional debate in 2009. What initiatives, if any, would you proactively support? How do you see children's healthcare fitting into this larger debate?

Comprehensive health care reform has been a long time priority for me. In that vein, I have introduced a bipartisan, universal health care proposal to guarantee every American the same quality, affordable health coverage that is provided to members of Congress. Any reform proposals taken up by Congress must include a robust benefit for expectant mothers and children that include proper screening, diagnosis and treatment based on best practices of obstetric and pediatric care.

Q5: Research shows that attendance at a preschool is a critical factor in improving children's readiness to enter kindergarten and promoting their long-term development and success. What, if anything, can or should be done to help states offer more high quality pre-K and early education opportunities for children?

I am pleased to be part of a Congress that understands the importance of high quality early education, and we will continue to help local communities implement these programs. I support increased funding for Head Start, which targets children from low-income families. Head Start makes sure that children with the greatest need have access to health services and teach them the skills necessary for the next level.

Q6: Child poverty has been shown to have an effect on children's health, education, and development. What, if anything, would you do to reduce poverty among children in Rhode Island and throughout New England?

It is imperative that our children have a stable home life, and that is why I support initiatives that help parents meet basic needs like employment and affordable housing. I have supported increased funding for LIHEAP, which will help pay high heating bills and keep families in their homes. I have also supported job training programs and the extension of unemployment benefits so that families can pay bills, buy groceries and keep their children healthy.

Q7: Every year, over one million American students fail to graduate from high school. What policy ideas are most important to you in working to increase graduation rates and strengthen America's public schools?

It is never too early to target students who are most likely to drop out of high school. That is why I have cosponsored the Success in the Middle Act, which will help target at-risk students at the middle school level. I will also continue to advocate for full funding of No Child Left Behind. When our school system works, it levels the playing field and offers our children the opportunity for upward mobility.

Q8: Many New England states rank among the leaders in the U.S. for the lowest number of children without health insurance, but none have yet to reach the goal of all children having health coverage. What steps, if any, do you think need to be taken to attain this goal?

I am very proud to represent a state and region with such a successful commitment to the health of our children. Realizing full health coverage for every child in New England and throughout America will require strong public-private and state-federal partnerships in funding and continuity of care. I pledge to continue fostering these relationships and advocating strong program funding to achieve this challenging, but attainable goal.