REPRESENTATIVE, STATE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 171ST DISTRICT

JOB DESCRIPTION

The General Assembly, the legislative branch of state government, is composed of two houses. The upper house is the Senate; the lower house is the House of Representatives. A majority vote of both houses is necessary to pass a law. Every law concerning taxation must originate in the House of Representatives.

Term: two years

Salary: $76,163.31 (2008)

Question: What should the state government do to ensure that every Pennsylvanian has health insurance coverage?

DEMOCRAT

Joanne Tosti-Vasey

Residence: Bellefonte

Campaign Web site: www.tostivasey.com

Birth date: Aug. 8, 1953

Education: Virginia Tech, B.S, M.S. 1975, 1977; Penn State, Ph.D., 1986

Occupation: President, Pennsylvania National Organization for Women

Qualifications: Treasurer then president, Pennsylvania NOW, 15 years; Pennsylvania Commission for Women, five years; Democratic State Committee, eight years; treasurer, Democratic State Committee Women’s Caucus, 12 years; Centre County Advisory Council-Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, 17 years

Answer to question: As a 19-year survivor of our broken health care system who fought the insurance industry to get medical treatment, I believe that Pennsylvania needs to guarantee access to quality, affordable health care regardless of your age, income, employment status or pre-existing condition. This system should provide everyone with quality affordable health care for all. And it should allow you to choose your doctor and should put control of your treatment with you and your doctor.

REPUBLICAN

Kerry Benninghoff

Residence: Bellefonte

Campaign Web site: kerrybenninghoff. com

Birth date: Jan. 14, 1962

Education: State College Area High School, Penn State 1980-81, many continuing education courses

Occupation: State legislator

Qualifications: Ten years of service in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives; clinical and managerial experience from Centre Community Hospital and county coroner’s office; service on local civic organizations’ boards of directors.

Answer to question: Pennsylvania ranks fifth in the nation for most residents insured. I fought to ensure every dollar from our tobacco settlement, $400,000,000 annually, went to health care services/research. We started Adult Basic insurance for people 19-64 who have no insurance. Control health care cost by minimizing medical lawsuits, streamline billing processes, simplify and standardize claim forms. Too much money in medicine is wasted in administrative paperwork. Lower costs make insurance more affordable for employers/consumers.