Dean Barkley on Health Care Independent Senate challenger

No logical reason why we pay highest drug costs in world

A: We have to take on the drug companies and health care providers in this country to reduce the cost of healthcare. Health care now accounts for 16% of our Gross Domestic Product and continues to rise. Drug company lobbyists and health care lobbyists have congress wrapped around their pocketbooks. We need to demand that Medicare negotiate lower drug costs or make imported drugs available to lower these costs. There is no logical explanation as to why we pay the highest drug costs in the world. We then must begin requiring providers that provide health care at lower costs. The Mayo clinic provides some of the most affordable health care in the country. Maybe they should take over Medicare.

Supports medical savings accounts & managed competition

Barkley supports the following principles regarding America's health care system.
• Support a "managed competition" health care plan.
• Provide tax incentives for small businesses to help provide health care to their employees.
• Allow middle and low income families to deduct yearly health care costs from their taxable income.
• Establish limits on the amount of damages awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
• Encourage tax-free medical savings accounts.