With the two recent Republican drop outs of the race for Arizona Governor, I thought it would be interesting to compare the two remaining candidates for Governor.  The incumbent Jan Brewer and Terry Goddard.  It was difficult to find a lot of health care related information on either one of them.  However, I found a little bit on each one and placed it below.  I also provided links to each of their websites so that you can decide for yourself who would be better for Arizona family physicians.  The Arizona Academy of Family Physicians does not endorse candidates.  The AzAFP does have a political action committee but has not contributed to either candidate for Governor. 

Terry Goddard

This year, Arizona was the only state in the nation to refuse federal State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) money.  In a decision that defies logic, Arizona taxpayers almost lost out on a four-to-one match in federal funds. Over 36,000 low income Arizona kids almost lost their health insurance.  And thousands of Arizona families faced unnecessary trips to the emergency room and lost time from work to care for sick children.

Terry Goddard won’t make that mistake.   He’ll fight to protect Arizona families by keeping more kids insured, healthy and out of emergency rooms.  He’ll make sure Arizona taxpayers receive their fair share of federal tax dollars.  And he will never endanger the health of our children to make political points.

What, if anything, should Arizona do to improve health care for its citizens?
Goddard’s answer:
A. Arizona must assure sufficient funding for Arizona’s voter-approved health insurance program, which provides health insurance for more than 300,000 adults.  If the governor and legislature have their way, Arizona’s health care industry would be devastated, losing more than 42,000 jobs and $3 billion from the private economy.  This would cripple healthcare services for all Arizonans and further undermine our economy.  
 
I would lift the freeze on KidsCare.  It is unconscionable that this governor and legislature have forced children to forego the medical care that they need, all to save less than $10 million annually.  I think we all can agree that taking care of our kids makes for healthier adults who need less medical care and that saves our state money.
 
We must restore funding for physician education and training programs, which will result in more primary care physicians and specialists to provide health care services across Arizona.  Additionally, we should:
 
·     Continue building the Phoenix Biomedical Campus with the University of Arizona.

• Create a prompt and well-organized pandemic and disaster response plan that monitors health hazards in the community, including disease outbreaks, food-borne illnesses, and natural disasters.
• Implement targeted education and prevention programs to ensure Arizonans know how to protect themselves from infectious disease, including flu strains, swine flu, and pneumonia.

http://www.terrygoddard.com/
Governor Jan Brewer

We don’t want federal help; sue to remain independent

I met recently with members of Arizona’s federal delegation and asked them to defeat a costly expansion of federal health care mandates on our state. Already, federal mandates on health care cost nearly $ 2 billion a year. Folks, that’s money we simply don’t have.

On top of that, Washington’s alleged solution will cost Arizona another half billion dollars every year. Only in Washington can they look upon massive federal entitlement programs bleeding red ink–and propose an even bigger new entitlement program.

The President and the Congress tell us they are going to help by reducing costs. In reality, what they are doing is eliminating freedom for our citizens, dictating the policies they must buy for their families, and forcing our employers and the state to pick up the tab.

We don’t need that kind of help. At last count, 14 Attorneys General, Republican and Democrat are investigating this legislation for violating the 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution.

http://azgovernor.gov/

 This page will be updated as we receive more information on these candidates’ health care positions.