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Yesterday, a union endorsed a DFL candidate. Who would've thunk it? Here's Mr. Tinklenberg's statement on getting the endorsement:
The Minnesota Nurses' Association has added their voice to a strong chorus calling for change in the Sixth District. I'm honored to receive their endorsement in my race to defeat Rep. Michele Bachmann, who has consistently voted to protect big insurance companies rather than patients and hospital staff.
I applaud the commitment and tenacity of Minnesota nurses, who work day in and day out to provide the best possible patient care despite the many obstacles present in our current health care system. Registered nurses will play a key role in reforming this broken system, and I will welcome their input in working to bring down costs and improve access to care.
The Minnesota Nurses' Association is essentially endorsing Mr. Tinklenberg because he's the DFL candidate. Lori Swanson might be the exception. In case anyone's wondering what Mr. Tinklenberg's position on health care, here's what's posted on his website:
Healthcare coverage in the United States is exclusive and expensive. It is a major source of anxiety, not only for the 47 million uninsured Americans, but for millions more who are underinsured. Those with full coverage have watched their premiums increase an average of more than 10% per year over the past five years. Families whose wages have stagnated cannot afford these increases on top of soaring out-of-pocket and prescription costs.
In Congress, I will work toward establishing universal healthcare coverage. A universal healthcare system will ensure access, lower premiums for families, and help American businesses stay competitive. It will also improve the quality and efficiency of care by taking the burden off overcrowded emergency rooms and emphasizing prevention and early diagnosis.
We must put aside our political differences and begin the transition to universal healthcare by expanding SCHIP to cover every American child. It is our moral obligation to make sure our children have access to care
- I will support the continued availability of private insurance options alongside a competitively priced public option, while insisting that no insurance company be allowed to deny coverage due to pre-existing health conditions.
- I will support long-term care benefits for the elderly.
- I will vote to allow direct price negotiations between the federal government and pharmaceutical manufacturers.
The last point is poorly thought out. If that's done on a federal level, profits of the pharmaceutical companies will drop precipitously. While that sounds good, it's a penny-wise, dollar-stupid type of approach. While people would pay less for their perscriptions, there would be less money going into R & D for new miracle drugs.
The other thing that I've got questions about is what isn't talked about here, namely, mandates. What's Mr. Tinklenberg's position on various mandates? A major factor in the high cost of insurance is the various mandates that state and federal governments impose on insurance companies.
There's nothing in Mr. Tinklenberg's positions to distinguish himself from any other cookie cutter Democratic candidate so it's reasonable to think that he'd gladly impose other mandates.
That's change we can't afford to get near the levers of power.
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