Protecting physicians from frivolous lawsuits and lowering costs so young people can afford medical coverage became the major issues at last night’s town hall meeting at VCU’s Medical Center.
“Rates are so high, young people can’t afford it,” said Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Democratic vice presidential candidate, John Edwards. She cited Cobra Insurance as an example of health insurance once used by young people until its rates became too high.
“When are we finally going to do something about the health care plan we’ve been talking about for the last decade?” Edwards asked, referring to the Bush administration’s health plan.
Edwards led a panel discussion concerning issues facing the medical community and people’s needs for health coverage. More than 200 people, including students and medical personnel, waited more than an hour in the crowded James B. McCaw lecture hall for Edwards’ arrival.
Solutions to high insurance rates under the Kerry plan, Edwards said, include an umbrella policy whereby government would cover the most expensive policies such as some that cover pregnant women and young adults now lacking medical insurance. She also suggested allowing the importation of Canadian pharmaceuticals to lower prescription costs.
Although the panel focused on malpractice lawsuit protection for physicians and hospitals, students turned the discussion to their needs, complaining about poor health coverage and high tuition increases.
Tuition tax credits of a maximum $4,000 and payment for community service work during college, she said, are among Kerry’s solutions for tuition hikes and student aid. Students completing community service while in college could earn as much as $2,000 a year toward their tuitions, Edwards said, adding that the Democratic platform also offers forgiveness for teachers’ loans.
Students at last night’s meeting responded affirmatively to Edwards’ presentation.
“Kerry actually addresses our needs,” said Daniel Plaugher, a member of the Monroe Park Campus Student Government Association. Plaugher, a senior political science major, said since President George W. Bush took office he has seen no solution to tuition hikes.
“Bush had four years to fix problems,” Plaugher said, “and we haven’t seen anything.”
James Atwater, a member of VCU’s Young Democrats, attended the town hall meeting to show support for the Kerry-Edwards campaign.
“I liked her concern for all students,” Atwater, a freshman, said. “I liked her idea of giving back to the community.”
What is the most frustrating part of Edwards’ campaign?
“We have a lot of problems facing us that we’re simply not talking about,” she said. “Rather than talking about campaign issues and (the candidates’) records, we (are) talking about Kerry being a flip-flop.”