Patrick, Reilly debate healthcare

WESTBOROUGH -- Gubernatorial candidate Deval L. Patrick offered mild support yesterday for the healthcare plan emerging from the Legislature, while rival Thomas F. Reilly was more cautious.

Speaking at a forum sponsored by Health Care For All, Reilly also sought to distinguish himself by reminding the group of his strong support for Canadian drug imports, while Patrick criticized Reilly, the state's attorney general, for failing to beef up a state program designed to encourage hospitals to provide more community health programs.

The forum provided an early indication of where the Democratic candidates stand on healthcare issues, and their stances highlighted an early theme of the Democratic primary race, in which Reilly has sought to cast himself as the more moderate candidate.

Patrick has supported plans for healthcare for all residents, even if it means increasing taxes for business owners, a proposal that legislators on Beacon Hill are discussing. Reilly praised House and Senate leaders yesterday for crafting a compromise, but he declined to comment further until more details are released next week.

''Tom Reilly is kind of adopting a wait-and-see attitude in terms of what's coming out of the legislative process, as opposed to taking a public stand and trying to move it," said John McDonough, a former state representative and executive director of Health Care For All. ''If you want to see a sharp difference between the two at this point, that's probably where it is. Deval took a position early and clear last fall, and Tom's position has been evolving and developing."

During the hourlong forum, both Reilly and Patrick lambasted the current healthcare situation in Massachusetts, saying that costs are out of control and that not enough people are covered.

''The system isn't working," Patrick said. ''It's time for a new vision in healthcare."

At least three times Reilly touted his stance in favor of importing prescription drugs from Canada. Since 2003, he has been a strong supporter of the practice, which is viewed as illegal by the Food and Drug Administration, but has been a cost-saving measure implemented in other states.

Patrick said that purchasing Canadian drugs should be considered, but he hasn't explicitly endorsed the approach.

The candidates also differed on a single-payer health plan, which would skirt employers and insurance companies and provide a universal health plan. Reilly says single-payer health plan is unrealistic, while Patrick thinks it is on the horizon.

Patrick took a swipe at a community health benefits plan established 12 years ago under former attorney general Scott Harshbarger, saying that it ''has fallen under neglect under the current attorney general."

Patrick also said he has a more-refined stance on healthcare.

''We've put out a plan," Patrick said in an interview after the forum. ''He hasn't. I don't know where he stands."

In an apparent jab at Patrick, a former top civil rights enforcer in the Justice Department under the Clinton administration, Reilly said: ''Anyone can talk about what they're going to do in healthcare. It takes a leader to have actually done something, and I have."

Seeking to further distinguish themselves, the candidates also announced union endorsements yesterday, with a large state firefighters union going to Reilly and the United Food and Commercial Workers, Service Employees International Union, and the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association announcing support for Patrick.

In a recent poll conducted for the Globe, Reilly was ahead of his rival in the Democratic primary, 35 percent to 22 percent, but the poll showed that Patrick was gaining ground.

Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey, the probable Republican nominee, and Christy Mihos, who is running as an independent, declined invitations to attend yesterday's healthcare forum, where each candidate spoke for 30 minutes about their stances.

The candidates, both wearing green ties, also took several jabs at the Republican opponents.

''You've got a governor running to get anywhere he can, and you've got a lieutenant governor trying to run from him," said Reilly, cracking a rare smile. ''It's almost like a political annulment."

Matt Viser can be reached at maviser@globe.com.