David Gill said the U.S. should support free health care for All-Americans which would be paid for by a tax. (Photo by Laura Ewan/WJBC)

By Eric Stock 

BLOOMINGTON - Emergency room doctor David Gill is making health care a main focus of his congressional campaign.

The Bloomington Democrat said opponents in attacks ads have mischaracterized his position on Medicare, claiming he wants to end Medicare as we know it.

"I'm talking about an improved, expanded health care that covers everything for everybody," Gill said.

Gill said he would support a universal health care law that would be paid for by a tax. Gill says that tax would offset what we currently pay to private insurance companies.

"It's not dissimilar to what we pay now in a Medicare tax," Gill said, referring to the co-pays and premiums that health care consumers must pay. 

Gill is running against Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, in the November general election. 

Doctor assisted suicide

Gill said it's not been an issue in his Congressional campaign, but he's standing by his support of doctor-assisted suicide.

"If you're already dying of cancer, if you are already going to be dead in a couple of weeks or months, you've got cancer is all of your bones and all over your body and each moment is nothing but pain for you, there should be some exit open for you," Gill said.

Gill first made a claim for support of euthanasia for the terminally ill during a debate in 2004.

Gill said doctor-assisted suicide can be done humanely. It is legal in Montana, Oregon and Washington. Gill said it's not an issue he plans to push if elected.  

Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.