Senator Dodd Responds to HRC/Logo Forum

Here are some of the question and answers (full questions and comments here):

Chris Dodd answers questions that were asked at
the Human Rights Campaign and LOGO debate concerning the GLBT
community.

1. Do you understand the special needs of people in gay and
lesbian couples who cannot depend on their partners’ insurance for protection
because they are not a legal spouse? What would you do about
this?
I believe that every American, regardless of race, age,
income, or sexual orientation, is entitled to high quality health care. That is
why I cosponsored the Domestic Partner Health Benefits Act. This is also why I
have introduced a health care plan that provides access to proper care for all
Americans. My health plan will create a health insurance marketplace called
Universal HealthMart that is based on, and parallel to, the Federal Employees
Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP). Individuals and businesses will contribute to
Universal HealthMart based on their ability to pay. Premiums will be affordable
based on leveraged negotiating power, spreading risk, reduced administrative
costs, and incentives for technology and preventive care. Coverage will be
portable – insurance purchased in Universal HealthMart will follow individuals,
not jobs.
My plan will phase in universal, affordable coverage to all
Americans over four years. No one will be forced into Universal HealthMart. If
they wish, employers and individuals can maintain their existing insurance
arrangements. This plan is easy to accomplish because the model and
infrastructure for the plan, the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHBP) plan,
already operates in every county in the country.
Another significant feature
of my health plan is that coverage is available for all Americans regardless of
employment status, health status or income level. Individuals pay for coverage
within Universal HealthMart based on their ability to pay and the insurance
industry will be forced to end price and coverage discrimination against people
based on prior conditions.

3. Why should the gay community believe that Democrats will fight
for us, after allowing us to be used by the Republicans as a scare tactic in
2004 and after the Clinton administration failed to follow through with campaign
promises to us?
I have been a supporter of the GLBT community
throughout my career, and in the White House I will be able to do even more to
advance issues important to this community. My record shows consistent
commitment to the advancement of GLBT issues. I am proud to have fought long and
hard to pass the Family and Medical Leave Act, and I will fight again to extend
this legislation to cover same-sex couples. I have supported legislation to
expand the definition of hate crimes to include gender, sexual orientation, and
disability. I cosponsored the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. I have
supported and continue to support equal rights for domestic partnerships. I was
an original co-sponsor of the Ryan White CARE Act and believe in working to
restore this bill to its original purpose of promoting HIV/AIDS prevention. I
will repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. I have spent a great deal of time on these
issues, and in the White House I would continue to fight for you.

13. Would you put someone in a position of power who is known to be
anti-gay?
No. I would not put someone in a position of power who
would discriminate, or be outwardly hostile, against another based on race,
ethnicity, age, gender or sexual orientation.