Massachusetts

Massachusetts U.S. Senate

Respond to Candidate

Jeffrey Beatty (R)

P.O. Box 1599
Harwich, MA 02645

Visit Candidate's Website
(617) 519-4342
Info@jeffbeatty.com

BIOGRAPHY

Response to candidate questionnaire not received by the deadline.

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?

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?

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?

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?

Q5: The Federal Poverty Measure has remained virtually unchanged since it was first created in the 1960s, leading to various proposals to modify it. What changes, if any, would you make to the current method of determining how many Americans lives in poverty and why?

Q6: The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 is set to expire on September 30, 2009. This legislation includes a range of programs—such as the school breakfast and lunch programs, the summer food service program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. Which programs supported by the legislation, if any, would you support? What can be done, if anything, through this legislation or other vehicles to help children, families, and communities address the growing childhood obesity crisis?

Q7: Child poverty has been shown to have an effect on children's health, education, and development. What do you think should be done by the federal government to reduce poverty among children in Massachusetts and throughout New England?

Q8: The increasing incidence of chronic diseases in children (i.e. asthma, diabetes, mental health) presents major challenges to our health care system. How would you work to prevent disease and ensure children have access to the health services they need?

Respond to Candidate

Respond to Candidate

John Kerry (D)

John Kerry

129 Portland Street
Suite 500
Boston, MA 02114

Visit Candidate's Website
(617) 227-1460
support@johnkerry.com

BIOGRAPHY

I volunteered to serve in Vietnam, where I received a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts. After graduating from Boston College Law School, I became a prosecutor in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. In 1982, I was elected Lieutenant Governor. Two years later, I was elected to the Senate.

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?

One of my priorities next year is passing my Kids First bill, which would insure every American child. I worked with my colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee to develop and pass the SCHIP reauthorization, and will continue this support. As Congress considers comprehensive health care reform, I will be a voice for our children and push for any reform to include quality health coverage for every child in this country.

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?

Along with insuring every child in America, we need to do more to ensure that children are receiving the highest possible quality of care. This is why I support the Children's Health Care Quality Act (S.1226). This bill recognizes that children have unique health care needs and require specialized medical care. Through promoting evidence-based pediatric quality measures and standards, we can give children the quality of care they need and deserve.

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?

Saying you support children's programs and actually doing so are two different things. I believe that creating a Children's Budget is one way to place focus on the needs of children and the commitment of our government to important resources, particularly for the most vulnerable children. The bottom line is that we need to do more to protect our children's health, education, well-being and overall future – the Children's Budget could help get us there.

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?

Health reform is a moral and economic priority that should be at the top of the new president's domestic priority list. I support real health reform that will ensure every American has quality, affordable health insurance- including every single child in our country. We must stem the spiraling costs of health insurance for families and businesses, while focusing on a high standard of care and preserving the parts of our current system that work well.

Q5: The Federal Poverty Measure has remained virtually unchanged since it was first created in the 1960s, leading to various proposals to modify it. What changes, if any, would you make to the current method of determining how many Americans lives in poverty and why?

The Federal Poverty Measure must be adjusted to take into consideration the rising cost of living. More and more families are falling through the cracks because they are above the current poverty line but make less than what they need for the basic necessities. I support changes so those who truly need assistance are able to qualify.

Q6: The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 is set to expire on September 30, 2009. This legislation includes a range of programs—such as the school breakfast and lunch programs, the summer food service program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. Which programs supported by the legislation, if any, would you support? What can be done, if anything, through this legislation or other vehicles to help children, families, and communities address the growing childhood obesity crisis?

I strongly support the food and nutrition programs mentioned, and believe more should be done to fight hunger in America. As we address the issue of hunger, focus should also be placed on nutrition. Along with stronger support for school physical education programs, better nutrition is a key element in fighting childhood obesity. I support higher standards for school lunch programs and have sponsored or co-sponsored several bills focused on food and nutrition.

Q7: Child poverty has been shown to have an effect on children's health, education, and development. What do you think should be done by the federal government to reduce poverty among children in Massachusetts and throughout New England?

Improving access to health care and highly nutritious meals is important and I will continue to support legislation such as the Hunger-Free Communities Act of 2007, but we must also focus on the family as a whole. I will continue to fight for additional funding for higher education and job training, and increased economic opportunities. We must work toward eliminating poverty and in the mean time support programs to minimize the impact on children.

Q8: The increasing incidence of chronic diseases in children (i.e. asthma, diabetes, mental health) presents major challenges to our health care system. How would you work to prevent disease and ensure children have access to the health services they need?

Preventing children from debilitating and costly chronic conditions should be a major priority in health care reform. We must increase our investment in prevention, early childhood screenings, and focus on promoting models of best practices where all parties work together for healthier families. In my reinsurance proposal (S.1298), any business that wants help with catastrophic medical costs must make a commitment to health promotion, prevention, wellness, and chronic disease management.

Respond to Candidate

Respond to Candidate

Robert Underwood (L)

Robert Underwood

P.O. Box 29
Monson, MA 01057

Visit Candidate's Website
Phone number not available
Rjunderwood2000@yahoo.com

BIOGRAPHY

I was born in Springfield May 13, 1949 but grew up in Suffield, Ct, which was then much more rural. I hold a B.A. from Central Connecticut State College ( Now a university ), I also attended Springfield Technical Community College and the Hartford Graduate Center. By profession I am...

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?

I am against creating a separate health care system for different groups, including children. The major parties address the elderly because the middle class elderly vote, young people, poor people, and children do not. I have said from the beginning of my campaign that I see people without health care as a problem that we need to solve. Right now Health care for working people is tied to their job, and they are losing both...

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?

I am against creating a separate health care system for different groups, including children. The major parties address the elderly because the middle class elderly vote, young people, poor people, and children do not. I have said from the beginning of my campaign that I see people without health care as a problem that we need to solve. Right now Health care for working people is tied to their job, and they are losing both...

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 am against creating a separate health care system for different groups, including children. The major parties address the elderly because the middle class elderly vote, young people, poor people, and children do not. I have said from the beginning of my campaign that I see people without health care as a problem that we need to solve. Right now Health care for working people is tied to their job, and they are losing both...

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?

I am against creating a separate health care system for different groups, including children. The major parties address the elderly because the middle class elderly vote, young people, poor people, and children do not. I have said from the beginning of my campaign that I see people without health care as a problem that we need to solve. Right now Health care for working people is tied to their job, and they are losing both...

Q5: The Federal Poverty Measure has remained virtually unchanged since it was first created in the 1960s, leading to various proposals to modify it. What changes, if any, would you make to the current method of determining how many Americans lives in poverty and why?

The Federal Poverty measure is defined by Republicans and Democrats who wish to hide the true level of poverty, which is a result of their failed policies. I would define particular levels of poverty and how much money you need to escape it. If elected I would dare other Senators to live on what they consider the level of poverty, they could not do it. See www.electbobunderwood.org

Q6: The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 is set to expire on September 30, 2009. This legislation includes a range of programs—such as the school breakfast and lunch programs, the summer food service program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. Which programs supported by the legislation, if any, would you support? What can be done, if anything, through this legislation or other vehicles to help children, families, and communities address the growing childhood obesity crisis?

I would be very careful about changing WIC and food programs. While improvements may be needed, I do not want the program to collapse resulting in people going hungry. See www.electbobunderwood.org

Q7: Child poverty has been shown to have an effect on children's health, education, and development. What do you think should be done by the federal government to reduce poverty among children in Massachusetts and throughout New England?

Child poverty exists because the Democrats and Republicans have pass laws which allow their patents jobs to be moved to low wage counties such as China, I would abolish these various free trade agreements.

Q8: The increasing incidence of chronic diseases in children (i.e. asthma, diabetes, mental health) presents major challenges to our health care system. How would you work to prevent disease and ensure children have access to the health services they need?

See www.electbobunderwood.org. There are many causes of illness, pollution, poor diet, poor health care, and poverty. Government can address policies which cause poverty, pollution, lack of health care. To some extent it can effect the choice of food. But parents will have to do the rest in the form of good food choices and exercise. See www.electbobunderwood.org

Respond to Candidate

The biographies and answers to the questions are provided by the candidates. Candidates were given a 50 word limit for biographies and a 75 word limit for each question response. If a candidate went over the word limit, the response is cut off with an ellipsis (...).