Carnahan and McCaskill on Health Care Tour

            Two
familiar figures to rural Missourians hit the campaign trail for Sen. Barack
Obama this week. Former U.S. Senator Jean Carnahan and Betty Ann McCaskill,
mother of U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill made stops in St. Clair, Sullivan,
Cuba, Rolla, St.
Roberts, Lebanon,
Marshfield, and Springfield.

            Carnahan
said that Senator McCain intends to make "major reductions to Medicare and
Medicaid," according to an article this week in the Wall Street Journal.
That is a frightening prospect to seniors, the sick and disabled in Missouri,"
she said. "McCain has also called for deregulating the health industry
much like we have the banking industry," she said, "and taxing your
employer-based health benefits for the first time ever."

            "Barack
Obama's health plan would lower costs, and ensure affordable and accessible
health coverage to all, including those with pre-existing conditions," she
said.

           "I
believe that Sen. Obabma is the president we need now for the changes we
want," Carnahan said during her visit with local voters. "People know
that we are going in the wrong direction when they see their life savings dry
up, gas prices soar, jobs shipped overseas, and healthcare costs skyrocket."

            Carnahan
said she cam out in support of Obama after two of her children got involved.
"Elections are about the future," she said, "and sometimes we
need to listen to our kids and grandkids vote what is best for them."

            Betty Ann
McCaskill, who always delights audiences with her homespun humor and straight
talk said, "As an 80-year-old, lifelong Missourian, I am supporting Barack
Obama because I don't want Social Security privatized and threatened by the
stock market. And I know that Barack Obama supports good Democratic programs
like Medicare and veterans' benefits."

            The two
were joined on the tour by Sen. McCaskill's sister, Anne.