DECISION 2016: Healthcare, other issues divide Indiana U.S. Senate candidates

But much of the attention, in campaign ads and media coverage, is focused on the character and past behavior of Democrat Evan Bayh and Republican Todd Young, and less on the issues that divide them.

Bayh, a former two-term governor, is seeking to return to the Senate, which he left in 2010 after saying he was weary of the intractable partisanship in Washington, D.C. Young, elected to Congress in 2011, won a hard-fought primary against fellow U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman, to become the GOP candidate.

CNHI's Indiana newspapers posed questions to the candidates on key issues that the Senate faces. Young answered during an interview. Bayh, who declined multiple interview requests, answered via email through his press staff.

Trade agreements

Question: Global trade has the potential to impact Hoosier workers and Hoosier farmers. What strategy should the U.S. take when it comes to free trade agreements?

Bayh: Hoosier workers can compete and succeed against any worker across the globe, but not when the playing field is tilted. In order to ensure that Hoosier workers and farmers can succeed in the increasingly globalized economy, we need to go tougher on trade enforcement and break down the artificial barriers contrived by foreign companies and countries like China.

Young: Trade is really about jobs and over 90 percent of the markets for our (Indiana-made and grown) products are outside of the United States. But trade has to be fair, so it’s about ensuring that we negotiate deals that don’t ship jobs overseas and that can be enforced. I’ll make sure we crack down on those who are cheating and that we open our markets up on a level playing field. I have confidence in Hoosiers. I believe Hoosiers can compete with anyone as long we put into place wise agreements.

Healthcare

Question: Should the Affordable Care Act be repealed or reformed? What should replace it or how should it be changed?

Bayh: We need leaders in Washington to actually work together to reform the ACA. Over the years we’ve seen how the 'repeal and replace' ACA strategy is not politically or practically feasible, and that effort is wasting a lot of time and money in the form of dead-end legislation and costly government shutdowns. Over 200,000 Hoosiers have gained health insurance through the ACA exchange, but the law is far from perfect. First, we should start by relieving small businesses by changing the definition of a covered employer from 50 to 100 full-time employees, and changing the definition of a covered employee from 30 to 40 hours of work per week.

Young: It should be repealed and replaced with a system that increases competition and choice of both doctors and insurers while decreasing costs for consumers. Hoosiers’ health care costs, we know, are skyrocketing while their healthcare choices are rapidly declining. Obamacare is failing. It’s hurting our job-creating small businesses, and it’s a drag on our economy. We should hold those accountable who voted for this terrible bill, repeal it immediately and replace it with a healthcare law or series of laws that will allow everyone access to truly affordable care.

Terrorism

Question: What more does the U.S. need to do to protect itself against terrorist attacks?

Bayh: We must destroy ISIS at its roots by eradicating its safe havens in Iraq and Syria. The U.S. should intensify its airstrike campaign against ISIS and continue promoting a global partnership in the war against terror. At home, we need to make sure our intelligence community has the tools necessary to stay nimble to the threat of lone wolf terrorism.

Young: We need to defeat terrorists in their home county before they come here. ISIS wouldn’t be with us if Secretary (Hillary) Clinton and President Obama had acted quicker to defeat them. We need a coherent, comprehensive policy on national security that’s based on leadership that’s strong and engaged, not weak and disconnected. As a Naval Academy graduate and U.S. Marine Corps intelligence officer, I have some real-world experience with this.

The presidential race

Question: Whom do you support for president and why?

Bayh: While I disagree with Secretary Clinton on many issues — including regulation, the Iran deal, and the Clean Power Plan — my support for her is well known. What is most important in this election is that our senator be willing to stand up for Hoosiers, no matter the party of the president.

Young: Donald Trump. I can’t support the failed policies of Secretary Clinton. But I’m really focused on this race (for Senate). This election is about Hoosiers. And there is a big difference between me and Evan Bayh, between our voting records and the solutions we offer to the problems that face this country. This race may come down to the control of the U.S. Senate, and I think Hoosiers deserve a U.S. senator who will act as a check and balance on the next president, whomever that is.