The lone Democrat running for South Dakota’s open US Senate seat says he knows how to improve health care across the county. Rick Weiland says the government should open up Medicare coverage to everyone. Weiland says, if elected to Congress, he'll propose the Medicare Choice Act.
"I’m talking about a law would incorporate the best that we got out of that torturous debate several years ago – preexisting conditions, lifetime caps, 26-year-olds – but give in that law an opportunity for people to buy into Medicare," Weiland says.
Weiland says he’s traveled to 275 South Dakota towns and hasn’t heard from one person who would forfeit Medicare for private insurance. The Democrat says his proposal doesn’t change the way Medicare works for seniors.
Democrat Rick Weiland says embracing young, healthy people into the Medicare system can solve the program’s financial strain. He says a lack of competition leaves even plans on the health care exchange too expensive for some people.
"Even the people that are getting subsidies that can now afford it, those are taxpayer dollars that are going into the pockets of the health insurance industry. It’s not going into the government to reduce the debt. It’s just a transfer so that we can give people more affordable health care with our tax dollars so that they have some kind of health insurance."
Weiland says the Medicare Choice Act creates competition between private companies and a public health insurance option. His plan encourages Medicare negotiations with drug companies instead of banning that cooperation. He says that could lower prescription costs.
Some of Weiland’s fellow candidates for South Dakota’s open Senate seat say they want the Affordable Care Act repealed. Others say lawmakers should work with the new system to improve the good and eliminate elements that aren’t working.
Rick Weiland is the only Democrat in South Dakota’s 2014 US Senate campaign.
The race also has one Independent candidate. That's Larry Pressler.
Five Repubilcans want to represent their party in November. Those candidates include Annette Bosworth, Stace Nelson, Larry Rhoden, Mike Rounds and Jason Ravnsborg.
