Baker emphasizes revitalizing heath care, economy

The Democratic Rep. emphasizes her experience in the health care industry.

By Greg Young

Published Oct. 10, 2008

In Democratic state Rep. Judy Baker's campaign for Missouri's 9th U.S. Congressional District, she has emphasized changing the policies of the last administration in two specific areas: health care and economic recovery.

Baker is using her health care experience as a launching pad to display her knowledge and understanding of how to better provide effective health care to the district. Baker has worked for more than 20 years in the health care industry, including founding her own health care consulting firm, Cura Healthsystems Solutions.

"My experience helps me focus on what their needs are," Baker said. "The first and most important thing we have to do in the health care system is raise the quality of the health care delivered, while lowering the cost. There is plenty of money in the system, it just needs to be redirected on how it is used."

Baker earned a master's degree in health administration from MU in 2002. She also attended MU 21 years earlier, earning a bachelor's degree in educational psychology.

Baker is focusing on preventative care, which she said can "save lives and money at the same time."

"Judy truly understands preventative care, it helps drive the costs of the system down so we can make people healthy and make sure we can increase the amount of access, both in public and private programs," campaign spokesman Paul Tencher said.

Another key issue in the 9th District is the economic turmoil facing the area.  Recently, Baker proposed a "Made in America" tax credit that is designed to reward companies with tax incentives for them to keep jobs in the 9th District.

"What we need to do is make sure that we don't incentivize companies to leave the country and ship jobs overseas," Baker said.

However, Baker feels that most of America was not covered by the bailout, and said that she would not have voted for the bill that was passed in Congress last week.

"Judy thought the bailout package was wrong, that it didn't do enough to guarantee the folks the money they need, including students," Tencher said.

Some of Baker's biggest goals are to get MU a health and sciences center and to make college more affordable.

"Because I represented the university as a state Rep., and because I've sat on the Higher Education Appropriations Committee, I am ready to go to Washington and ask for the things we need," Baker said.

Baker's campaign is highlighting the role that Baker's faith plays in her decisions. Baker, whose husband is a senior pastor at the First Baptist Church, is making a serious push for faith voters.

"I don't put off faith for politics, it is a part of who I am," Baker said. "It has been since I was young and when I made decisions about what values would direct my life."

Baker also emphasizes her worldview and international experience, which started when Baker was born. Baker grew up in a military family, which forced her to move every few years.

"It is an experience that I wouldn't trade for anything, because it made me ready to be flexible," Baker said. "I can meet anybody because I had to all my life, and I had to make new friends everywhere."

Baker said her biggest message is that of change, not just with any specific issue, but as an overall theme.

"That message is responding all across the 9th District," MU College Democrats Vice President Brian Roach said. "We've had a representative in Kenny Hulshof who hasn't looked out for the best interests of Missourians."

MU College Democrats President Caitlin Ellis said Baker's message resonates with her.

"She really understands the people in this district," Ellis said. "She isn't a career politician and she embodies change."