Healthcare ConversationsVicky GoodeShelly SmithRebekah CarmelJane Von GauckerSarah Craig

Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehousehttp://whitehouse.senate.gov/

Senator Whitehouse’s Bio http://whitehouse.senate.gov/about/

Senator Whitehouse on Health Care http://whitehouse.senate.gov/issues/

issue/?id=d5381455-0781-4652-938f-4df34efbc6f4

Virginia Attorney GeneralKen Cuccinellihttp://www.cuccinelli.com/

Virgina Attorney General Cuccinelli’s Bio http://www.cuccinelli.com/index.php/

meet-ken

Attorney General Cuccinelli on Health Care http://www.cuccinelli.com/index.php/

healthcaredecision http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=DL2WY_gU_gw&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=YvgnKWXR37Q

Role Definition

RI Senator Whitehouse

VA Attorney GeneralCuccinelli

• Chief legal officer for the State• Protects the rights of all citizens

of the state: including enforcement of health, safety and consumer regulations; educational outreach programs and protection of the rights of the elderly and disabled

• Primary healthcare responsibility: Medicaid control fraud unit (MCFU), largest sector

MCFUThe Virginia Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit

(MFCU)investigates allegations of fraud by medical providers receiving payment from the Commonwealth’s Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid). The Unit also investigates allegations of abuse or neglect of elderly and incapacitated adults receiving benefits through the Medicaid program.

Prior to Virginia Freedom Healthcare Act, this was chief healthcare function of the Attorney General’s office

Why run for public office?RI Senator Whitehouse

VA Attorney GeneralCuccinelli

Prior to being elected Att General in 2010, was Senator from Fairfax, states, “I did not run for office to make friends.” Eager to maximize state rights & minimize role of federal government

What are your term goals?

RI Senator Whitehouse

VA Attorney GeneralCuccinelli

Group Analysis/Comments

Dramatically reduce healthcare fraudMCFU “excellent team” of which only 25% lawyers, rest compiled of nurses, investigators, pharmacists…

Issue of HealthcareRI Senator Whitehouse

VA Attorney GeneralCuccinelli

Group Analysis/Comments

Believes that the Affordable Healthcare Act is a “massive expansion of federal government.” Infringement on personal liberty of choice and states rights.

The BIG Issue

Healthcare Reform….

Affordable Care ActRI Senator Whitehouse

Group Analysis/Comments

Virginia Healthcare Freedom Act

VA Attorney GeneralCuccinelli

Group Analysis/Comments

1.No Virginian ordered to purchase health insurance….exception is college students and court mandated (child support)

2.Main effort of the Va Tea Party movement, law passed with bipartisan support

3.Not just about HCR, forbids employer to mandate that employee purchase insurance to be employed

4.VA not the only state with mandateSupremacy clause

Healthcare Freedom Act

Attorney General Cuccinelli clarifies:

“Litigation is about liberty, not healthcare.”

Federal law does not trump state law if Federal law is unconstitutional

Update on Virginia Healthcare Freedom Act

Case heard by 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond in May 2011

Appeals court is made up of three judge panel randomly selected by computer; in this appeal 2 judges were appointed by President Obama and the third was appointed by President Clinton

Click bell for audio of appeal but 49 mins

RI Senator Whitehouse

VA Attorney GeneralCuccinelli

Group Analysis/Comments

RI Senator Whitehouse

VA Attorney GeneralCuccinelli

Group Analysis/Comments

Future of Healthcare in USRI Senator Whitehouse

VA Attorney GeneralCuccinelli

Group Analysis/Comments

As Att General, abandoned his right to vote, gave up legislative seat, therefore deems future in the hands of elected officials

Summary

AcknowledgementsA special thank you to for arranging our

meetings with Senator Whitehouse and Attorney General Cuccinelli