The issues facing Nevada are varied
and many. As I walk door-to-door in District 6 speaking
to my neighbors, quality-of-life issues are foremost
on their minds. Our citizens are concerned about affordable
and quality healthcare, our declining public education
system and our recessive economy. Some are on the brink
of having their homes foreclosed upon; others have been
impacted by foreclosures in their neighborhood. Many
small businesses are closing. The vast majority of Nevadans
are in far worse shape today than they were 4 years
ago.
My plan is a common-sense approach
to finding solutions to Nevada's issues, which involves
generating new revenue without additional taxes and
implementing creative ideas to help restore the quality
of life for those living in District 6 and throughout
Nevada.
Creating New Revenue
I advocate implementing a Statewide Lottery to help
fund education. Thousands of Nevadans flock to our borders
to play the lottery and literally give our money to
neighboring states. We can generate revenue without
new taxes by means of the lottery. Nevada is a low tax
state, and a state lottery could raise an estimated
$50 million annually in new revenue.
Quality and Affordable Healthcare
Affordable health care is one of the most pressing issues
facing District 6. My opponent, the incumbent, has voted
against virtually every attempt to improve our health
care system—voting against prostate cancer screenings,
a vaccination for women that would prevent cervical
cancer and affordable prescription drugs for seniors.
He even voted against raising medical standards in Nevada.
As District 6's State Senator, I
will propose a statewide health insurance exchange which
will provide Nevadans with greater access, choice and
affordability of health insurance. A health insurance
exchange functions as a single place where Nevadans
can go to find out about their health insurance options.
The exchange will force large insurance companies into
competitive pricing and increased access while eliminating
blatant risk avoidance and endless attempts to deny
coverage.
Greater Accountability for Insurance
Companies
The insurance-claim process is purposely confusing and
designed to wear the consumer down through a long, drawn-out
process so he or she gives up fighting a mistake or
a denial. As a breast cancer survivor and one who cared
for my brother when he was ill with cancer, I understand
first-hand how difficult insurance companies can be
when it comes to paying claims. My brother passed away
in March and I am still fighting with the insurance
companies to get my brother's medical bills paid. As
your State Senator, I will propose legislation to force
greater accountability from insurance companies and
make the process of communication easier for the consumer.
Higher Medical Standards
I will support legislation proposed by the Legislature's
Interim Committee on healthcare that will tighten the
standards to practice medicine in our state. I will
fight to increase the number of medical inspectors and
required inspections.
In the aftermath of the Hepatitis
C crisis, our citizens must have faith in their doctors
and our health care system as a whole. I will not quit
until I have restored that trust.
Government Efficiency
I have long been a strong proponent of operating efficiently,
whether it was with businesses I've worked for or non-profits
I have served with. One of my proposals when in office
will be to identify efficiencies in state government
and implement process improvements. Improving processes
may involve streamlining the processes within state
agencies, thus eliminating or decreasing the need to
add state positions as Nevada's population grows, and
can also increase the ease of doing business with the
state.
Additionally, with the inevitable budget
cuts on the horizon, we need to assess each and every
program and service that the state is currently funding
to determine the need for that program or service, while
being deliberate in the programs and services to be
cut. I will fight to preserve the programs and services
that are essential in preserving a quality of life for
Nevadans, including secondary and higher education and
affordable healthcare.
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