Words: Richardson advocates more preventive health care without raising taxes and supports giving states the flexibility to run Medicaid programs. He feels our goals should be decreasing the number of uninsured and increasing access to affordable health care. He believes in a new health care system without new bureaucracies. “I say we restrain costs and maintain benefits now, while working to create more access in the long run.”

Actions: As governor, Richardson budgeted an increase in Medicaid spending and implemented cost containment measures.

More about: Bill Richardson, Health Care.