U.S. Senate: Jean Carnahan, Democrat

Jean Carnahan, Democrat

Carnahan was appointed to the position of U.S. Senator in 2000 in the stead of her husband Mel, who was posthumously elected to the office. She serves on the committees of Armed Services; Small Business and Entrepreneurship; Governmental Affairs; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; and the Special Committee on Aging.

What is your position on tort reform to alleviate frivolous lawsuits and excessive jury awards?

We must work to curb frivolous lawsuits. To this end, I supported legislation in the Senate to ensure that a federal patients' bill of rights did not unfairly expose employers to liability. However, it is my general opinion that tort law should continue to be shaped at the state level and not imposed on the states from Washington, D.C.

What is your position on association health plans?

I support legislation to help states form "purchasing alliances" to negotiate quality health coverage for small employers. I also support a package of tax credits and deductions to make health insurance more affordable and accessible.

Specifically, I am the cosponsor of legislation to: (a) provide tax credits for low and middle-income individuals for health insurance premium costs; (b) provide tax credits to help small businesses offer health insurance to their employees; (c) support state-based health plan purchasing alliances to allow small businesses to pool together to negotiate lower rates while still benefiting from Missouri's patient protections; and (d) provide 100 percent deductibility of health insurance costs for the self-employed.

I much prefer this approach to AHPs. AHPs would allow health care providers to circumvent Missouri's strong patient protection law and operate under the much weaker federal law.

What is your plan to stimulate the economy?

I support tax cuts for small businesses to help create new jobs.

I support permanent elimination of the marriage penalty, and I am fighting to reverse the administration's proposed job training cuts of $686 million. These funds are crucial to help workers that have been laid off to obtain the skills that they need to find new employment.

What are your top five legislative priorities in terms of business issues and economic growth?

Reducing the tax burden on small business.

Increasing access to capital. The federal government should expand its programs to provide access to capital for new and growing businesses.

Reducing the paperwork burden on small businesses.

Increasing international trade. I am a strong supporter of international trade. However, we also need fair trade so we do not lose more jobs to cheap labor in foreign countries.

Reducing health care costs.

by Clarissa French

SBJ Managing Editor