Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 5, 1993 TAG: 9310050229
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Held before 35 residents of Warm Hearth Village, a complex for retirees near Blacksburg, the 45-minute session gave Republican Nick Rush, 25, and Democrat Jim Shuler, 49, chances to explain their beliefs on the health care dilemma.
The mild-mannered dialogue highlighted strengths and weaknesses: Shuler went a little long and deep on some answers, but many residents knew him because of his nearby veterinary practice; Rush answered questions concisely, but some residents said they were more comfortable with his opponent's age and experience.
The two are running to represent eastern Montgomery County, including Blacksburg and part of Christiansburg, along with a third of Giles County. Current Del. Joan Munford, a nursing home owner and Democrat, is retiring.
"Respecting experience, I would have to go with Shuler," said Laura Austin Taylor, 82, president of the Warm Hearth residents' council.
Another resident of the 310-person complex declined to give his name but freely offered his opinion: "I like the brevity of Mr. Rush's replies; I dislike the gobbledygook of Mr. Shuler's replies; he talks like a politician."
Under the format, the candidates took turns answering written questions but couldn't actually debate each other, though Rush tried to get in a few digs at Shuler and he in turn tried to rebut an answer on Medicaid.
Shuler, a former member of the state Board of Health, touted President Clinton's proposal for universal health coverage as a way to bring costs under control and yet make sure everyone has access to care.
"We've got the best ability in the world when it comes to medical knowledge; our system's what's messed up," Shuler said.
Rush, while embracing the concept of universal coverage, favored encouraging free market enterprise, enacting medical malpractice reform and allowing people the freedom to choose their doctor.
"Over the past decade under Jim Shuler's leadership [on the Health Board], has health care improved?" he asked.
Shuler took a swing at pharmaceutical companies and high drug prices. "Over time we will have drugs and pharmaceutical costs under control," he said.
Rush, a Federal Express delivery driver and member of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, criticized that stand. "I'm not going to do anything that's going to discourage pharmaceutical companies from creating the next wonder drug," he said.
Though the candidates agreed on possibly funding adult day care, supporting a new certificate of need for nursing home facilities in the New River Valley and an additional interchange on U.S. 460 near Warm Hearth Village, they showed some differences when it came to a question about attracting more retirees to the region.
Shuler cited the Blacksburg Chamber of Commerce's efforts to market the area to retirees and promised to continue to promote the area if elected. Rush, four years out of the Army and a father of two boys, said the region needs to attract more manufacturing jobs for young people just starting out as part of overall effort to diversify the valley's economy.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB