Claudia Peschiutta
GLENDALE -- Expensive and hard-fought, the race for control of the
area's congressional seat has captured national attention.
Incumbent Rep. James Rogan (R-Glendale) and state Sen. Adam Schiff
(D-Glendale) together have made House history by raising more than $9.4
million and turned the 27th District race into one of the year's most
closely followed congressional contests.
Much of the notoriety comes as a result of Rogan's high-profile role
as a House manager in the impeachment trial of President Clinton, which
earned him both admiration and ire.
Adding to the importance of the race is the fact that Democrats and
Republicans are targeting the 27th District seat in the battle for
control of the House, where the GOP leads by a margin of only seven
seats.
But beyond the money and the hype are very real issues on which the
candidates differ. The following is a look at where Rogan and Schiff
stand on three important topics -- health care, hillside protection and
Social Security.
A HEALTHY DEBATE
Health-care reform has been one of the most talked-about issues in the
race.
Both Rogan and Schiff support enacting a "patients' bill of rights,"
but favor different plans.
Schiff backs a measure sponsored by congressmen John Dingell and
Charles Norwood that was approved by the House last year with bipartisan
support. He faults his Republican opponent for not doing the same.
Rogan opposes Norwood-Dingell because it includes a provision that
would leave employers open to "frivolous lawsuits," said Jeff Solsby, a
spokesman for the congressman.
Such a potential threat, "would lead businesses, particularly small
businesses, across the country to a course of systematically denying
health care coverage," he said.
Schiff challenged the notion that employers would be left vulnerable
under Norwood-Dingell.
"This is a fig leaf that the HMOs have tried to hide behind," he said.
Rogan has supported other HMO reform bills and will stand behind
Norwood-Dingell "if employers are adequately protected," Solsby said.
Norwood-Dingell has been amended four times to reflect the
recommendations of the business community but "the bill has never left
employers open to frivolous lawsuits," said John Stone, a spokesman for
Norwood, a Republican from Georgia.
"No matter how it's worded, the HMO lobby will say it leaves employers
open to be sued," he said.
Both Rogan and Schiff agree seniors should have a prescription drug
benefit but differ in their approaches.
