Nov. 2014: State Rep. District 147: Kathy Swan

__Name:__ Kathy Swan

__Age:__ 63

__Place of birth:__ Cape Girardeau

__Spouse's, children's names:__ Spouse - Reg Swan

Son - Regan Swan (Jessica)

Daughter - Maria Childress (Jim)

__Education:__ Associate of Arts - Nursing

Bachelor of Science - Nursing

__Occupation:__ Business Owner

__Employer:__ JCS Wireless

__Businesses owned, all or part:__ JCS Wireless

Affordable Mini Storage

__Public offices held or sought; give dates:__

State Representative: 2013 to present

Senate Reapportionment Commission: 2011

Cape County Central Committee: 2010 to present

Cape Girardeau City Council: 2010-2013

Missouri Math, Engineering Technology & Science Alliance: 2006 to present

Cape Girardeau Planning & Zoning Commission: 2005-2007

Missouri Congressional Awards Council: 2005 to present

Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority: 2005-2007

Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education: 2002-2013

Cape Girardeau Vision 2000/2020: 1996-2006

Cape Girardeau Board of Education: 1992-95

__Website:__ www.kathyswan.com

__Email:__ kathyswan147@gmail.com

__Phone:__ 573.270.0017

__Do you support Medicaid expansion? Why or why not?:__

Before Medicaid is expanded, a well-thought plan for revision and transformation is crucial. Our state government must include accountability measures in the transformation. Therefore, many questions need to be addressed in the development of a plan regarding who is eligible, what the income/poverty threshold should be, how to handle the "working poor", and what incentives should be built into the program. The impending future reduction in federal funds to states must also be addressed.

__Do you support right-to-work? Why or why not?:__

In a "Right to Work" state, workers are not required to join a union as a condition of employment. Nearly half of the nation's states are "Right to Work" states. Business recruiters point to three deciding factors impacting the decision to expand or relocate: a state's tax structure, financial incentives, and "right to work" laws. For Missouri to be a player, a "right to work" law could be a valuable tool in our marketing toolbox.

__Missouri is the only state without a prescription-drug monitoring database. If elected, would you support legislation establishing one?:__

A prescription-drug monitoring database is necessary for the health and safety of our citizens. For patients who have been prescribed several medications by different physicians, their health and safety depend on the healthcare team having access to complete information to avoid complicated drug interactions. The lack of the database also increases drug abuse and crime by making it easier for abusers to obtain prescription narcotics and for criminals to obtain drugs for illegal sale.

__How would you continue to support education in Missouri?:__

Education is truly the key to success, from the early childhood years through adulthood. Young children need to be ready for school when entering kindergarten, students completing K-12 must be ready for work or college, and workers need access to training and higher education. Legislation is needed that ensures a seamless educational pipeline for each level, addresses limitations in geographical access, offers solutions to reduce the high costs, and insists on accountability at all levels.

__Closing remarks:__

My varied background in small business, healthcare, and education has provided a strong foundation to tackle the major issues facing our state and to effectively address the needs of our district. Healthcare, education and business are intertwined and impact one another. Good health care; a high quality, accountable system of education; and a favorable business climate are necessary for strong families and for our state. Our nation's system of government depends on our strength.