Health care and health benefits for senior citizens in Massachusetts is one issue all three of the major gubernatorial candidates agreed was in need of reform at an American Association of Retired Persons-sponsored forum at Faneuil Hall yesterday morning.
Green-Rainbow party candidate Grace Ross was not invited because “she did not meet AARP’s national voter education candidate criteria,” according to AARP Massachusetts state president Charles Desmond.
Desmond said the organization is “strictly nonpartisan — we do not tell people who to vote for, but we certainly encourage them to vote.”
The candidates discussed issues pertinent to senior citizens — including prescription drug costs, economic security for older workers and the affordability of long-term care. The candidates agreed the issues are not just relevant to AARP members because many of the decisions regarding these problems will affect younger generations as well.
Republican candidate Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey said she is concerned with the affordability of health care, adding that she supports a “prescription advantage” program to fills gaps left by Medicare.
Healey also mentioned the importance of providing job opportunities and job retraining for senior citizens in an effort to help them support themselves within today’s economic standards. Healey said there should be “as many options as possible for seniors.”
Democratic candidate Deval Patrick emphasized the importance of community building and nonpartisanship, recommending that that candidates and citizens of Massachusetts “build bridges across differences.”
Patrick said the most important solution to cheaper long-term health care is lowering the property tax. “Everyone is squeezed” because of the high cost of living, he said, adding this makes healthcare expenses much more arduous.
Independent candidate Christy Mihos appealed to his Massachusetts roots by greeting members of his hometown Brockton AARP chapter.
Mihos emphasized his Proposition One — which aims to put a cap on property taxes, increase the amount of local aid for towns and “take away the sting of living here [in Massachusetts].”
Although the event followed a rigid question-and-answer format, the candidates did take occasional opportunities to disagree with each other and refute their positions. A particular question regarding the property tax issue sparked a debate, although it did not deal strictly with the key issues.
Mihos mentioned his Proposition One — which would lower property taxes — so often that audience members began to laugh when he brought the topic up. He claimed that “Beacon Hill is stealing your money,” and that electing an Independent candidate is the only way to get it back to the people.
Patrick rejected Healey’s plan to lower the income tax, by saying that the last time the income tax was lowered, property taxes increased.
Healey responded by quoting a Boston Globe article that said Patrick has no plan to roll back property taxes. Patrick criticized Healey, saying “the Lieutenant Governor is a great talker but not a good listener.”
The candidates attempted to empathize with the audience by relating personal anecdotes. Patrick and Healey mentioned their own concerns about aging parents, and Mihos emphasized the fact that Massachusetts is his home state.
The audience — which consisted of more than 700 AARP members from across Massachusetts — participated by submitting questions for the candidates to answer.
AARP’s goal of encouraging its members to vote and become involved in politics was realized as the audience members seemed eager to attend. Patrick received the loudest cheer by far upon introduction, and when Healey mentioned the dangers of having Democrats in the Corner Offices, loud booing ensued.
Life-long Brockton resident Ireta Waterman, secretary of the Brockton AARP chapter, was unsure who she would vote for.
“I just wish we had a shining star example,” she said. “We’re all very indecisive.”
The decision not to invite Ross to the forum was contested. Several Ross supporters congregated outside Faneuil Hall, calling, “let the AARP know that they’re excluding a voice.”
“I wish Grace Ross was here, she adds to the color and substance of our debate,” Mihos said.