Candidates have health care visions

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky supports a move toward universal health care, while her Democratic challenger said he opposes the idea since it amounts to a socialized system.

Democratic voters in the 9th congressional district will choose Feb. 5 between Evanston resident Schakowsky, who has represented the district since 1999, and political newcomer John Nocita, a Chicago attorney.

Schakowsky wants to build a new health care system where the federal government would cover more costs and people would still get to choose their doctors.

In 2006, she introduced the AmeriCare program that aims to accomplish that, "so that every American would have access to the health care that a physician says is medically necessary," she said.

"Of course, it does mean that the government takes on the insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies and controls cost," Schakowsky said.

Under the proposed AmeriCare Health Care Act, people would either receive coverage through their employer, or through a new program modeled on Medicare.

Nocita, meanwhile, said if the United States adopted a universal health care system, he fears employers would drop their coverage.

"Instead, the government could give incentives to help keep that process going because your health care could be far better than a socialized system," Nocita said.

Nocita supports a federal plan to offer small business tax credits to those who offer health insurance to employees.

He also backs a plan to make health insurance something that is available to all without the restrictions that currently exist, including targeting those with pre-existing medical conditions.

The two are vying to represent the 9th Congressional District, which includes most of Des Plaines and Rosemont as well northern Chicago, Niles, Morton Grove, Skokie and Evanston.