Tierney, Fishman talk healthcare

LYNN – The 2012 election is a pivotal moment in America’s health care history, and the Massachusetts Sixth District Congressional race is no exception, according to organizers of a healthcare forum held Thursday evening in Lynn with two of the three race’s candidates.U.S. Rep. John Tierney and Libertarian challenger Daniel Fishman answered questions about Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security in front of about three dozen senior citizens. Republican challenger and former state senator Richard Tisei was not present.”We truly feel this election will determine the future of the three programs,” said Pam Edwards, the community organizer for the non-partisan Massachusetts Senior Action Council, which hosted the forum at the Lynn Housing Authority.Tierney, a Democrat from Salem, toed the Democrat party line at the forum, promising not to raise age limits for Medicare or Social Security or privatize the programs.”I will never support any Republican plan to privatize Medicare or Social Security,” he said to heavy applause from a mostly pro-Tierney crowd.Fishman, a computer scientist from Beverly who entered the race earlier this month, took the opportunity to introduce himself to Lynn voters. He addressed accusations that his candidacy is drawing votes away from either party.”I’m not running to take any votes away from anybody,” he said. “I’m running because I believe at this time Congress is broken.”Unlike Tierney, Fishman did not immediately oppose Republican proposals to raise the retirement age for Social Security or Medicare. He instead urged attendees to think of health care as a finite resource that states – not the federal government – must conserve.”We can’t provide everybody with absolutely the best possible service,” he said.Fishman distanced himself from Republicans by saying he doesn’t agree with much of a budget plan proposed by House Budget Chairman, and Republican vice presidential candidate, Paul Ryan.But Fishman said he liked at least one aspect of Ryan’s idea to create a voucher system for Medicare: It would help Americans put value to the health care they’re receiving and thus use it more efficiently, he said.”If something is free, you don’t think twice about it,” he said.But Tierney said the voucher program would shift, rather than reduce, healthcare costs to the individual. He said he supports paying for the program by raising taxes on wealthy Americans.”We don’t need to enhance millionaires at the expense of other people,” he said.Tierney took a moment each time he spoke to jab his absent opponent Tisei, whom he blasted as supporting “draconian” measures proposed by House Republicans to take away federally funded health care for seniors.Most attendees agreed with Tierney and his policies.Like the congressman she plans to vote for in November, Lynn resident Barbara Fournier said she doesn’t like Republicans’ idea to privatize the three programs.”They seem to want to take everything away from us,” she said.Victor Canaan also clapped loudly for Tierney who, he said, supports senior citizens.”Tierney is doing an excellent job,” he said.But retired state employee Bruce Callahan wasn’t so sure. He said he’ll vote for Tierney in the fall but added he’s confused by all the back and forth among Republicans and Democrats; each party demonizing the other’s health care policies.”Both sides are saying that their sides are the true side,” he said.No matter what party takes control in November, Joyce Wallace said she just wants to know that she will be able to afford health care after she retires from her job at General Electric.”I just shudder to think when I stop working – because I can’t afford it now – what’s going to happen to my health care?” she said.Amber Parcher can be reached at [email protected].