ND Candidate Guide and Insights

1.     Family caregivers provide $600B in unpaid support annually. How will you help them?

U.S. Senate Candidates

• Katrina Christiansen (D): I believe that a crucial part that was left out of the Inflation Reduction Act was the funding provided for Home and Community Based Services. This is something that needs to be addressed in the next Congress. North Dakota has an aging population that need to be cared for. This funding will not only help elderly North Dakotans age with dignity, but also will provide jobs and income for the caretakers and the elderly care workforce to help them provide for themselves and their families. Also, this is a demanding job that people should be paid for.
  
• Kevin Cramer (R): I support the following two bills, although I've not seen a score on the second one: ABC Act S. 3109 (Markey/Capito): The bill would require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Social Security Administration (SSA), and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to review their eligibility, processes, procedures, forms, and communications to reduce the administrative burden on family caregivers, according to the text of the bill. Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act of 2023 – S. 3254 (Rosen/Cassidy): Allows flexible spending account, health savings account, health reimbursement account funds to be applied to medical expenses for a parent or spouse’s parent. Current law allows you to use FSAs/HSAs to care for a spouse, but not a parent. I've led on similar bills on the VA Committee. The VA Mission Act in 2018, which included a section to expand eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), to better support veterans of all eras. Prior to this provision, the PCAFC was only available to eligible Veterans injured in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001. VA announced phase II of their expansion in October of 2022, allowing Veterans who served after May 7, 1975 and before September 11, 2001 to enroll in the PCAFC. Caregivers can currently access stipends respite care, peer-support mentoring, and mental health counseling. In February 2023, the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs advanced legislation that further support VA family caregivers, RESPECT Act of 2023: The bill expands the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers for 1) services related to neurological disorders and additional mental health services and 2) Allowing family caregivers to seek mental health services in the community setting.

U.S. House Candidates

• Julie Fedorchak (R): Like many Americans, I've experienced the challenges and rewards of caring for an aging loved one. It’s important, meaningful work. I believe in supporting programs that provide home and community-based services, giving states the flexibility to tailor these programs to the needs of their communities and families. These programs not only help families care for loved ones at home, they also promote the efficient use of taxpayer dollars.
  
• Trygve Hammer (D): I've been in this position as a caretaker for my dad while working in the oil fields. It would have helped to have assistance available and covered by insurance, or Medicare in my father's case. In Congress, I would make family caretaker's service reimbursable through Medicaid/Medicare.

2.     Social Security recipients will see cuts if Congress doesn't act. How will you work to find a bipartisan solution?

U.S. Senate Candidates

• Katrina Christiansen (D): For decades, working-class North Dakotans paid into Medicare and Social Security, so when the time came for them to retire, they could have the peace of mind that they would have quality health care and income to succeed. Despite numerous attempts by Republicans to gut both of these vital programs, they have continued to deliver quality benefits to our nation's senior citizens. I would vote to protect and strengthen these critical programs. I would work with anyone on constructive solutions to fund these programs, however cutting benefits is non-negotiable. I would personally lift the cap on taxable earnings for Social Security so that everyone pays the same percentage of their income, not just for the first $168,000.
  
• Kevin Cramer (R): I've also supported bipartisan efforts to find common ground and compromise to secure the trust fund. There are very few of us who dare even talk about the subject much less discuss possible solutions. I have been especially supportive of Senator Romney's efforts with the TRUST Act and cosponsored it. https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-cramer-colleagues-introduce-two-bills-to-address-balancing-the-federal-budget-and-the-impending-insolvency-of-federal-trust-funds-like-social-security-and-medicare

U.S. House Candidates

• Julie Fedorchak (R): Solving the Social Security challenge requires bringing together people from both parties and key stakeholders to work on a lasting, bipartisan solution that safeguards benefits for seniors and strengthens the program's long-term viability. Strong relationships with stakeholders and members across the aisle are critical to solving tough problems like this, and I am already working to develop those meaningful partnerships.
  
• Trygve Hammer (D): We can shore up the Social Security Trust Fund, and we can in a way that doesn’t hurt working people. Right now, income over $168,600 is not subject to social security taxes. The first thing I would do is remove that cap. I would also end the income tax on social security benefits--a tax that was instituted in the 1980s to soften the deficit explosion created by massive tax cuts, especially for the wealthiest Americans.

1.     With the rising cost of vital prescription drugs that many North Dakotans rely on, what will you take to ensure older people and their families have affordable access to these life-sustaining drugs?

• Michael Coachman (I): Open up the insurance markets and regulate insurance companies from up-charging prescription drugs in North Dakota.
  
• Kelly Armstrong (R): I will continue to make sure 340B is maintained and continued.
  
•  Merrill Piepkorn (D): The Biden Administration has negotiated with pharmaceutical companies to substantially reduce prices on some of Medicare’s most widely prescribed and expensive drugs, with substantial savings for North Dakota seniors. This work must be protected and expanded. In North Dakota we should review the Insurance Department’s Prescription Connection program to understand the remaining gaps and needs. As Governor, I will advocate for measures that make medications affordable for all who need them. 

2.     Americans over 65 are the fastest-growing segment of the population, and research shows that most want to remain in their homes and communities as they age. As Governor, what steps would you take to encourage the construction of affordable, age-friendly housing and the renovation of existing homes to make them age-friendly? 

• Michael Coachman (I): We have several initiatives that we will be working to implement to help all North Dakotans. The first is to help remove Property Tax. This will allow people to stay in the homes that they are in without having to rent from the government. We also want to have programs that help update individuals’ homes with the proper hospice equipment or for updated accessibility. Removing property tax is also known to help stimulate the economy and encourage new construction, with that we will also work with the Bank of ND to lower interest rates for local business construction loans.
  
• Kelly Armstrong (R): We know that it is more economical to the taxpayer dollar for people over 65 to stay in their home vs a long-term care facility. But the flip side, this problem is complex in what it takes to remodel a home to become age-friendly, how different-sized communities will combat this problem, and what requirements are absolutely a necessity without increasing the burden on our taxpayers.
  
• Merrill Piepkorn (D): We know that available and affordable housing is a serious issue in North Dakota, especially for seniors. We should assess what programs already are available and the gaps that remain. Incentives for developers to build middle housing options between apartments and large single-family homes are important. Grant programs for communities or eligible homeowners for rehabbing older homes to make them accessible is another step. We can solve this if we work together across the state.

Find comprehensive information on when, where and how to cast your ballot here.

On November 5, North Dakotans will be asked to vote on five ballot measures (find the language for each of the measures here). Measure 4 would eliminate property taxes in North Dakota. AARP ND joined a coalition called Keep It Local tied to that measure. Read more about coalition and its position on Measure 4 here.

Tune into our three debates airing on Prairie Public Broadcasting.

• Thursday 9/26 at 7 p.m. — U.S. House: Julie Fedorchak (R) and Trygve Hammer (D)
• Wednesday 10/2 at 7 p.m. — Senate: Katrina Christiansen (D) and U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R)
• Thursday 10/10 at 7 p.m. — Governor: U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R) and Sen. Merrill Piepkorn (D)

After the broadcast, they'll be available to stream on Prairie Public's YouTube channel and the PBS app.