Presidential Candidates Respond to NH Medical Society Healthcare Questions

CONCORD, NH - With less than a week to go before New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary, five candidates have responded to the NH Medical Society’s challenge to weigh in on some fundamental healthcare questions.

Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Hillary Clinton, John Kasich, and Bernie Sanders have responded to the four core questions that relate to the health and wellbeing of Granite State citizens, according to a press statement.

The four healthcare questions focus on candidates’ positions on treatment of addiction, affordable quality healthcare, the cost of prescription drugs, and marijuana legalization. Over the past few weeks, NH Medical Society staff contacted candidates by mail and e-mail, and is posting responses on a rolling basis leading to the Feb. 9 primary vote. The information will help better inform the New Hampshire healthcare sector of the candidates’ policy positions on these issues.

“In New Hampshire, we have a unique opportunity to challenge our presidential candidates every four years. We’re grateful to those who have responded and look forward to hearing from more candidates on important health-related issues facing the Granite State today and making all responses available to the medical community and the public,” said James Potter, executive vice president of the NH Medical Society.

Candidates and citizens of New Hampshire are also being challenged by the Medical Society in a second way. This challenge will identify who can master the “jacket flip,” a unique way of donning a suit jacket or sport coat, made famous by Josiah (Jed) Bartlett, the President of the United States in TV’s The West Wing. The show has ties to the NH Medical Society through Dr. Josiah Bartlett, who founded the Society in 1791. He was an original signer of the Declaration of Independence and was also New Hampshire’s first constitutionally elected governor. In The West Wing, Josiah’s fictitious direct descendent is Jed Bartlett, who was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, was governor of the state, and was a three-term congressman before he ascended to the presidency. See a supercut of jacket flips by Martin Sheen (as President Jed Bartlett) at nhms.org.

Jacket flip videos can be shared on The Medical Society’s YouTube channel through the date of the First in the Nation Primary. To submit or view jacket flip videos, visit NH Medical Society’s YouTube channel or post via Facebook or Twitter.