Al Franken's Blog, page 42
September 26, 2014
RELEASE: Mike McFadden’s Health Care Plan Would Hurt Minnesotans
Repealing Health Care Law would take us back to days when insurance companies had free reign
St. Paul [9/26/14]—Today the Franken campaign called out investment banker Mike McFadden’s “health care plan” for what it really is: an ill-considered grouping of ideas that would hurt Minnesotans.
“Investment banker Mike McFadden is attempting to paper over the fact that the first step he would take in Washington would send us back to the bad old days when insurance companies had free reign over consumers,” said Franken campaign spokesperson Alexandra Fetissoff.
“It took this country too long to get to where we are now, and instead of fixing what needs to be fixed and making this law work for all Minnesotans, Mike McFadden would start over and take us back to the days when women were charged more than men simply because they are women, half the bankruptcies in the country were associated with health care emergencies and seniors paid more for their prescriptions. Mike McFadden and his plan are wrong for Minnesota.”
The Facts Behind McFadden’s “Health Care Plan”
McFadden’s plan would kick more than 300,000 people off of their MNsure plans and Medicaid.
McFadden’s plan wouldn’t hold insurance companies accountable by requiring them to make sure 80 percent of premium dollars went to actual health care, not CEO salaries, profits or marketing.
McFadden’s proposal would undercut Minnesota’s strong consumer protections and would create a race to the bottom in terms of quality health care.
McFadden’s pre-existing position would essentially take Minnesotans back to the policy that was in place before the health care reform law where coverage was much more expensive and less comprehensive.
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MEMO: Mike McFadden’s Real Health Care Plan
FROM: Alexandra Fetissoff
DATE: Friday, September 26, 2014
MEMO: Mike McFadden’s Real Health Care Plan
Today, investment banker Mike McFadden will reportedly “outline his health care solutions” at a press conference. McFadden’s “plan” comes 39 days before Election Day and over a year after he first said he was “working with a team of [health care] experts.”
Regardless of what he says today, what we already know about McFadden’s health care “plan” shows that he’d only make the problem worse, not better.
(1) Mike McFadden would repeal the health law and take us back to a time when women were charged more for health coverage simply because they were women, people with preexisting conditions were denied coverage, half the bankruptcies in this country were connected with health care emergencies and young adults couldn’t get covered under their parents’ plan.
(2) Mike McFadden wants to see the health insurance industry “deregulated,” a move that would let insurance companies have free rein to do whatever they want — no matter the human or financial cost.
At a press conference in April, McFadden was asked to get “a lot more specific” on his “solution to health care.” He told reporters he wanted to deregulate the health insurance industry.
MCFADDEN: …The second is there are federal regulations that need to be looked at. One is insurance, I’d like to see the insurance agency, industry, deregulated. [McFadden Press Conference, 4/10/14]
(3) Mike McFadden wants to let companies sell health insurance across state lines.
Letting insurance companies sell health insurance across state lines would “make insurance more expensive for the sick and cheaper for the healthy, and lead to more healthy people with insurance and fewer sick people with insurance. It’s a great proposal if you don’t ever plan to be sick, and if you don’t mind finding out that your insurer doesn’t cover your illness.” [Washington Post, 2/17/10]
(4) Mike McFadden wants to put bosses in charge of women’s health care and claimed contraception was neither a health care nor economic issue for women.
After the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision in July, McFadden refused to comment on the ruling for days, claiming contraception was neither a health care nor economic issue for women and therefore did not merit a response. Only after several days of being pressed by reporters did McFadden finally admit he was in favor of letting bosses deny their female employees access to contraception.
(5) Mike McFadden doesn’t even provide health insurance to his own employees , even though he bragged about knowing “what it’s like to provide healthcare for my employees” and cited it as a reason why voters should support him.
The post MEMO: Mike McFadden’s Real Health Care Plan appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.
From the inbox: “Take action, support Al Franken”
Sara Cederberg, Digital Director
Did you see Al Gore’s email to supporters this morning? He laid out a clear picture for why special interest groups would love to see Al go down.
Dear Sara,
I don’t think this will come as a huge shock to any of you — since Supreme Court decisions like Citizens United and McCutcheon–but our democracy is being hacked by special interest groups and super PACs.
These groups are backed by big names like the Koch brothers. They’re spending millions of dollars to attack progressive leaders all across the country, including my good friend, Al Franken.
Why? Because Al has the audacity to fight for the people. He calls out special interests for ignoring the dangers of the climate crisis, and pushes for action. He fights for consumers and to protect net neutrality. And he is working to make higher education more affordable.
So obviously, special interest groups think Al must go.
How do we take back control of our democracy in the face of all that spending? We come together and take action.
There’s a big goal coming up, and Al is just about $40,000 away from the $300,000 he needs. Can you contribute $5 to help?
If you’ve saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately:
Special interest groups, with their huge bank accounts and armies of Washington lobbyists, are using their influence to manipulate our democracy and twist it to serve their own purposes.
Al’s already been attacked on television, radio and online. There’s at least one super PAC devoted entirely to defeating him.
Maybe we can’t outspend special interest groups. But if we all come together to stand beside Al, we will gather the kind of numbers that will outweigh all their cash.
Grassroots organizing is the way we win against the perversion of our democracy. Today I’m standing with Al. And I’m asking you, Sara, to do the same.
Only $40,000 to go with just 4 days until our deadline. Give now.
Thank you for your help today.
Al Gore
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ICYMI — Why McFadden’s over-the-counter birth-control idea is not actually good for women
By Sarah Stoesz, 9/23/14
Just when insurance companies are finally required to treat birth control like every other form of preventive health care and cover it at no cost, Senate candidate Mike McFadden wants to take that away. Worse – he’s disguising his efforts as “pro-woman” and “pro-birth control.” But women voters in Minnesota won’t be fooled.
Mike McFadden’s position on women’s health has been evident from day one. He opposes the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. He opposes the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) mandate that birth control be covered with no co-pays. He applauded the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision, which allows a woman’s boss to decide whether she gets coverage for her birth control, based on religious views.
So, why is he suddenly proposing that contraceptives should be available over-the-counter (OTC)?
Because he’s trying to win an election that his pollsters tell him can’t be won without the support of women.
Make no mistake, allowing birth control to be sold over the counter is not a quick fix – and McFadden knows it. This is nothing more than a political stunt being carried out among several GOP candidates for Senate across the country – and Minnesotans aren’t going to fall for it.
Free now, birth control’s cost will be borne by women
Right now, 48 million women get birth control under the health care law and, as a result, they are saving $483 million a year. But, making birth control available OTC will prompt insurance companies to discontinue coverage – since most don’t cover any OTC drugs (just like Tylenol or Claritin). And guess who will be stuck with the bill? Women will.
From day one, McFadden has aligned himself with the most fervent opponents of women’s health in his party; politicians who have waged an unprecedented war on women. He has shown that he cannot be trusted on this issue.
Planned Parenthood supports every sincere effort to expand women’s access to the health care they need, but we aren’t fooled by McFadden’s empty proposal. Women throughout our state won’t be either.
Sarah Stoesz is the president of the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota action fund.
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September 25, 2014
#MNVotesEarly: Austin
In case you missed it — voting began in Minnesota last Friday, and people are already casting ballots in the general election. In a new series, we profile Minnesotans who have made the obvious choice to vote early in-person or by mail – and why you should join them.
When Austin heard that no-excuse absentee voting was now the real deal in Minnesota, the choice was clear: why wouldn’t he do it when he had a free afternoon?
“When I heard I could apply for an absentee ballot and vote in-person, I made sure I’d get it done on a free afternoon. All it took was heading over to Minneapolis City Hall.”
Austin appreciated having an official walk him through the process, which many other people took advantage of – particularly if they had recently had a change of address. But really, it was knowing that he got voting done early this year that put him at ease.
“I’ve seen how hard Al has worked on issues like health care and net neutrality — and I wanted to be sure I could support his re-election with a vote. You never know what the weather could be like on Election Day — we live in Minnesota, after all.”
Voting is too important to leave to chance. Join Austin and make a pledge to vote early for Al this year.
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September 24, 2014
RELEASE: New Ad Highlights Franken’s Bipartisan Work For Minnesota Farmers
When gridlock hurt Minnesota farmers, Franken reached across party lines to get things done
ST. PAUL [9/24/14]— The Franken campaign today released a new TV ad that highlights how Sen. Franken worked with Republicans and Democrats to break through the gridlock in Washington and help pass a five-year farm bill that’s good for Minnesota.
The 30-second statewide ad, titled “Gridlock,” features Bill Gorman, a farmer from Goodhue, Minnesota, talking about how Sen. Franken has worked hard for farmers in the Senate: “Minnesota farmers didn’t know what to expect when Al Franken was elected, but, boy, he’s worked his heart out for us.”
Sen. Franken knew the gridlock in Congress was hurting Minnesota’s farmers, so he worked with Republicans and Democrats and passed a five-year Farm Bill that gives stability and support to our agricultural producers and invests in a new generation of farmers. Sen. Franken co-wrote the energy section of the bill, which invests in Minnesota’s massive renewable energy potential and will help create jobs, protect our environment and strengthen our economy.
“Senator Franken knows that farming is an important part of our economic and national security, and that’s why he worked hard to support beginning farmer programs and make sure that we’re training and supporting new farmers,” said John Irrthum, a farmer from Wanamingo.
“Senator Franken has been a champion for farm families. We know he isn’t afraid to take on Democrats, Republicans or even the President if something isn’t right for Minnesota,” said Bill Sorg, a farmer from Hastings.
The National Farmers Union Political Action Committee endorsed Sen. Franken earlier this year for his hard work to help Minnesota’s farmers and producers, the rural communities they live in and future generations of farmers that will carry on Minnesota’s long tradition as an agricultural leader.
TRANSCRIPT:
BILL GORMAN: Waiting for rain can make farming unpredictable, but waiting for Congress to pass a Farm Bill? C’mon.
AL FRANKEN: Gridlock was hurting our farmers. So, I’m proud that I worked with Democrats and Republicans to write and pass a five-year Farm Bill that’s good for Minnesota. You know, one in every five jobs in our state is tied to agriculture.
BILL GORMAN: Minnesota farmers didn’t know what to expect when Al Franken was elected, but, boy, he’s worked his heart out for us.
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RELEASE: Mike McFadden Wrong On Federal Minimum Wage
Investment banker not only opposes raising the federal minimum wage, he’d eliminate it
ST. PAUL [9/24/14]— Today, Sen. Franken met with Nuns on the Bus, a group of Catholic nuns committed to fighting for social and economic justice, and spoke about his fight to raise the federal minimum wage on behalf of middle class families. This stands in stark contrast to investment banker Mike McFadden.
McFadden has told Minnesotans time and again that he would put profits over people and not only oppose raising the federal minimum wage, but that he would do away with it altogether.
“Eliminating a critical safeguard like the federal minimum wage just shows how out of touch Mike McFadden is with the struggles of middle-class families,” said Alexandra Fetissoff, Franken campaign spokesperson. “Bottom line: Mike McFadden will always put profits over people.”
McFadden told MinnPost in May that he does not support an increase in the federal minimum wage and has said repeatedly that if it were up to him he would eliminate it, saying “there shouldn’t be a single federal wage” and that it “doesn’t make sense.”
Sen. Franken is fighting to raise the federal minimum wage for the first time in five years because he believes no one should work full time and live in poverty.
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McFadden Opposes Increasing The Federal Minimum Wage
McFadden Opposed Raising The Federal Minimum Wage. In May 2014, MinnPost asked McFadden, “So you don’t support a federal increase?” He responded, “Yeah that would destroy jobs.” [MinnPost, 5/12/14]
McFadden Is Opposed To The Very Idea Of A Federal Minimum Wage
April 2014: McFadden Said It Was “Problematic That You Would Have One Single Wage That Would Be Across The Whole Country.” In an April 2014 press conference, McFadden was asked about whether he supported raising the federal minimum wage. He replied, “I think, first of all I think the minimum wage is a very important safe guard. I do find it problematic that you would have one single wage that would be across the whole country, I think New York has much different economic forces and issues that they’re facing than Minnesota, than Nebraska, than California.” [McFadden Press Conference, 4/10/14]
Pioneer Press: McFadden “Said There Shouldn’t Be A Single Federal Wage In Place For Every State.” According to the Pioneer Press. “Minimum wage: [McFadden] Called it ‘a very important safeguard.’ Said there shouldn’t be a single federal wage in place for every state, but took no position on the bill moving through the Minnesota Legislature that would raise it to $9.50 and then link it to inflation. ‘That’s a state issue.’” [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 4/10/14]
April 2014: McFadden Said, “The Idea That You Have One Wage That Is Applied Across The Whole Country Doesn’t Make Sense To Me.” In an April 2014 interview with WCCO Radio, McFadden was asked if he supported raising the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour. McFadden responded, “Chad, it’s a great question. And I will support anything that produces jobs and generates jobs and the minimum wage has been an important safe guard. I happen to believe uh it’s much, it, it, it, makes much more common sense to me that it’s something that’s decided locally as opposed to at the federal level. Uh, the idea that you have one wage that is applied across the whole country doesn’t make sense to me.” [WCCO Radio, 4/16/14]
May 2014: McFadden Said, “It Concerns Me That The Government Dictates A Wage Across The Whole Country.” In a May 2014 interview with MinnPost, McFadden was asked if he supported an increase in the federal minimum wage. He replied, “I support anything that increases wage and increases jobs. My concern is two-fold: One is federal versus state. It concerns me that the government dictates a wage across the whole country. As we all know, the factors that we face in Minnesota are dramatically different than New York or California or Alabama.” [MinnPost, 5/12/14]
The post RELEASE: Mike McFadden Wrong On Federal Minimum Wage appeared first on U.S. Senator Al Franken, Minnesota -- Official Campaign Website.
RELEASE: MNGOP Criticizes Franken For Standing Up For Individual Constitutional Rights
MNGOP also claims McCain amendment to cut wasteful spending would “put Americans at risk”
ST. PAUL [9/24/14]— Today, the Franken campaign responded to attacks by investment banker Mike McFadden and the Republican Party of Minnesota against Franken’s record of voting to protect Americans’ individual constitutional rights when he opposed Defense Authorization bills that contained language allowing the U.S. military to indefinitely detain American citizens without a trial or even charging them.
The Republicans also attacked Franken for supporting responsible cuts to the Defense budget, including supporting an amendment sponsored by Sen. John McCain to reduce funding for “an airplane that the military neither wants nor needs.”
In response, Franken campaign spokesperson Alexandra Fetissoff released the following statement:
“Sen. Franken strongly supports our military and the men and women who put their lives on the line in service of our country. He has voted many times to make sure they have the resources they need, but also believes there is wasteful and outdated spending that we can cut.
“We have a responsibility to safeguard Americans’ individual constitutional rights, which is why Sen. Franken opposed provisions that would allow for the indefinite detention of American citizens by the military. It is incredibly disturbing that Mike McFadden and the Minnesota Republican Party think it’s ok for the military to arrest and indefinitely detain U.S. citizens without charge or trial. Every Minnesotan should be concerned about their philosophy on this issue.”
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FACT: FRANKEN VOTED AGAINST MULTIPLE DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILLS BECAUSE THEY ALLOWED FOR THE INDEFINITE DETENTION OF AMERICAN CITIZENS
December 2011: Franken Voted Against Defense Authorization Bill Because He Objected To Indefinite Detention Language. In a December 2011 Op/Ed, Franken wrote, “Yesterday, the Senate passed a bill that includes provisions on detention that I found simply unacceptable. These provisions are inconsistent with the liberties and freedoms that are at the core of the system our Founders established … The bill that passed on Thursday included several problematic provisions, the worst of which could allow the military to detain Americans indefinitely, without charge or trial, even if they’re captured in the U.S. At their core, these provisions will radically alter how we investigate, arrest, and detain individuals suspected of terrorism. What’s more, they could undermine the safety of our troops stationed abroad, and they introduce new and unnecessary uncertainty into our counterterrorism efforts.” [Huffington Post, Franken Op/Ed, 12/16/11; Vote 230, 12/15/11] - Note: Republican Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim DeMint (R-SC), Mike Lee (R-UT), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Jim Risch (R-ID) also voted against the bill.
Franken: Defense Bill Containing Indefinite Detention Provisions “Denigrates The Very Foundations Of This Country.” In a December 2011 Op/Ed explaining his vote against the Defense Authorization Bill, Franken wrote, “With this defense authorization act, Congress will, for the first time in 60 years, authorize the indefinite detention of U.S. citizens without charge or trial, according to its advocates … I think that denigrates the very foundations of this country. It denigrates the Bill of Rights. It denigrates what our Founders intended when they created a civilian, non-military justice system for trying and punishing people for crimes committed on U.S. soil. Our Founders were fearful of the military–and they purposely created a system of checks and balances to ensure we did not become a country under military rule. This bill undermines that core principle, which is why I could not support it. Yesterday was the anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights, and this wasn’t the way to mark its birthday.” [Huffington Post, Franken Op/Ed, 12/16/11]
December 2012: Franken Voted Against Defense Authorization Bill, Citing Indefinite Detention language. In December 2012, Franken voted against the final Defense Authorization bill. In a statement, Franken said, “I voted against this bill because, in its final form, it allowed for the indefinite military detention of Americans captured on U.S. soil – a clear violation of the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights is critical to the civil liberties of all Americans, and no act of Congress should ever threaten those freedoms … I continue to believe that allowing the military to arrest and detain people in the U.S. denigrates the Bill of Rights and what our Founders intended when they created a civilian, non-military justice system.” [Franken Press Release, 12/21/12; Vote 229, 12/21/12] - Note: Republican Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Mike Lee (R-UT), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Jim Risch (R-ID) also voted against the bill.
FRANKEN JOINED SEN. JOHN MCCAIN IN VOTING TO CUT UNNECESSARY FUNDING THAT EVEN THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT DIDN’T WANT.
October 2009: Franken Joined John McCain In Voting To Cut Excess C-17 Funding. In October 2009, Franken voted for an amendment sponsored by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) “to strike amounts available for procurement of C-17 aircraft in excess of the amount requested by the President in the budget for fiscal year 2010.” Senator McCain called it “an airplane that the military neither wants nor needs.” [Vote 312, 10/6/09; Politico, 9/30/09]
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September 23, 2014
RELEASE: Mike McFadden: Helping Millionaires, Not Minnesotans With Student Debt
McFadden talks to students on U of M campus days after telling Congress to ignore them
ST. PAUL [9/23/14]—Just one week after Mike McFadden told Congress to ignore the millions of Americans struggling with student loan debt, and criticized Sen. Franken for his work in the Senate to help lower the cost of college, the investment banker is showing up at the University of Minnesota campus today to ask students for their support.
Twice in the last week, McFadden actually attacked “Senate leaders for focusing on student loan refinancing,” despite the fact that Minnesotans graduate with some of the highest debt in the country. And three months ago, McFadden said he would protect millionaires and billionaires over giving half a million Minnesotans the ability to refinance their high-interest student loans.
McFadden said in July he opposes Sen. Franken’s Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Actbecause it is paid for by enacting the Buffett rule, which would ensure millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share in taxes. The bill would give Minnesotans with outstanding student loan debt the chance to refinance their public and private student loans at lower rates. 560,000 Minnesotans stand to benefit from the lower interest rates in the bill.
“The fact that investment banker Mike McFadden would protect millionaires and billionaires and dismiss the importance of giving half a million Minnesotans student loan relief just shows he is more interested in playing politics than actually solving problems,” said Alexandra Fetissoff, Franken campaign spokesperson. “In sharp contrast, Sen. Franken has worked hard on issues that matter to Minnesotans, including lowering the overall cost of college.”
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September 22, 2014
“There just isn’t anyone else out there who cares like he does.”
Sen. Franken’s hard work in the Senate has had a real impact on people like Sue, a volunteer with Team Franken in the Eagan office.
In 2011, Sue was diagnosed with Huntington’s — a genetic disease with severe side effects and no cure. She made the difficult decision to leave her full-time job to focus on her health and treatment.
“That was one of the hardest things to accept — that I couldn’t work.”
Sue stayed on her former employer’s health insurance plan because it was the only choice.
“Other companies told me I wasn’t insurable — I had a pre-existing condition, after all. So I paid the full premiums out of pocket, starting at $800 and increasing to almost $1,200 a month by 2013.”
With a little over 40% of her monthly expenses being eaten by insurance premiums, she was eventually forced to sell her home in September of 2013.
“I never thought I would be the person who didn’t have enough money to pay for my house. I had owned this home for 17 years! It was a difficult choice — but I knew how important it was continue the right course of treatment for my disease.”
Sue was homeless from September 2013 to January 2014, living with relatives until she could afford housing. Strapped for cash, she was anxious to find a new plan. When open enrollment began on the MNsure marketplace last fall, she found more affordable coverage.
“I felt like I didn’t have a choice until the Affordable Care Act started working. Once I signed on through MNsure, I got the same plan with the same company for just $500 a month.”
With more money in her pocket again, she could afford to rent a townhome. Sue’s experience was what inspired her to take action with Team Franken.
“I’m thankful Al’s been working hard for people like me – people who need access to quality, affordable health care. There just isn’t anyone out there who cares like he does.”
These days, Sue isn’t letting her disease hold her back. She’s busy putting as much time into the campaign as she can – talking to voters on the phones and motivating more members of the community to take action.
“When you walk people through Al’s accomplishments, they’re blown away. And more often than not, they’ll realize that they’ve felt the benefits of his work in the Senate. I’m grateful for everything he’s done and everything he’ll continue to do in the future.”
Help Al make sure he can keep working hard for us — join Sue in Eagan or at an event near you .
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