Sebelius On The Public Option: Nothing Has Changed

By Laura Woodhead - Talk Radio News Service

The public option is still on the table Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Tuesday. Speaking at the US Administration on Aging's annual Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) conference, Secretary Sebelius said that her comment Sunday that the public option was "not an essential element" of health care reform, was misrepresented by the media.

"All I can tell you is that Sunday must have been a very slow news day, because here's the bottom line: absolutely nothing has changed," she said. "We continue to support the public option that will help lower costs, give American consumers more choice and keep private insurers honest."

The Secretary went on to address the scare tactics that she said opponents of health care reform were using in order to frighten the elderly into not supporting the administrations' proposed changes.

"Lots of information has been circulated causing fear among some seniors about cutting valuable medicare services or rationing care," Sebelius said. "Nothing could be further from the truth."

The comments came at the end of the Secretary's speech on how the administration is taking steps to tackle Medicare fraud. In any system were there was over $600 billion circulating, "you know that there are people around who want to get their mitts on the cash" Sebelius said. Efforts by the SMP would help "save medicare dollars" and cut waste within the health care system but it was reform that would make the real difference.

"Absent health care reform, doctors providing medicare are scheduled to be cut 21%," she warned. "You talk about losing your doctor. That will happen [unless we pass reform]."

Hoyer Unfazed By Senate’s Threat To Public Option

By Justin Duckham - Talk Radio News Service

While House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) stands by his belief that a public option is an important aspect of health care reform, he appears unfazed by recent reports indicating that the Senate Finance Committee will likely drop the program from its draft of the legislation.

“The Senate is going to go its way,” said Hoyer during a pen and pad session with reporters Tuesday. “I wouldn’t say I’m concerned, if you mean worried...I don’t think there’s any specific item that’s absolutely substantial to reform.”

The Majority Leader said that he was unsure if Congress would pursue the creation of nonprofit insurance cooperatives as an alternative to the public option.

“We’ll have to see what the Senate does on Co-op and see how it’s formulated...after all, a co-op will be a competitor."

On previous occasions, Hoyer had stated his desire to have the House pass legislation prior to the August recess. However, he announced on Tuesday that the vote will not get to the floor by Friday, the House's last day in session.

“I think it’s unfortunate that we didn’t meet our timelines, but I don’t think it’s a failure by any stretch of the imagination,” Hoyer said.

Health Care Is In The House

By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

Democratic Representatives say there is a rapidly closing window for passing health care. A health care bill, known as the Dingell bill, will come out Tuesday. Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) mentioned that the bill is not exactly what he would have put together, but that he believes if the U.S. is going to do something about the problem, it must be better addressed.

“This is a great opportunity. If we waste it, I can’t tell you when it will return,” said Dingell.

Dingell was joined by Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.) and Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) for a health care discussion Tuesday. The Representatives agreed that health care brings a “unique American challenge” that requires an “American solution.”

Kind used a different analogy than that of Dingell and said they were trying to get healthcare “across the finish line.” No matter what the analogy, the point was clear that Democrats want to get the debate going, now.

Altmire said Republicans and Democrats are not that far apart in their ideas but a systematic reform is necessary. He said it would be nice to have Republican support and it would be a chance for them to be part of an important piece of legislation.

“It will not be a perfect bill but we hope it’s one that advances in the right direction which will lead to increased quality [health care] at a lower cost for all Americans,” said Altmire.

The Representatives highlighted aspects of the debate that bring about concerns such as: the costs, a level playing field for insurance companies, and a public option.

At this time, the New Democratic Coalition has not put out a position on a public option, according to Kind. He said it would be a tough sell for some members but that failure is not an option.

Poll: Americans Want Government Run Health Care, But Won’t Use It

By Sam Wechsler - Talk Radio News Service

Quinnipiac University Polling Institute released a new poll Wednesday morning that sheds light on Americans’ health care views. The institute found that 69 percent of voters say Americans should have the option of government run health insurance, but only 28 percent said that they would use it.

In addition, 72 percent of voters would be unwilling to pay over $500 a year, or $1.40 a day, for health care reform. Forty-five percent would be unwilling to pay any taxes at all.

“Voters will be very happy to have business pay for this or to have the rich pay for it, but if you get past that they are much less willing to spend their money for a health care overhaul,” said Peter Brown, assistant director of the polling institute.

Despite the majority of voters saying there should be the option of government run health insurance, 49 percent are “very satisfied” with their current plans, and 36 percent are “somewhat satisfied.” However, only 52 percent believe that most Americans receive a “good value” for the money they spend on health care.

U.S. Rep. Warns Against Public Health Care Option

By Joseph Russell- Talk Radio News Service

Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), who holds a medical degree, and Donald Palmisano of the Coalition to Protect Patients' Rights warned that providing the American people with a federally funded health care option can ultimately prove risky.

"Solutions used by the government over the decades of Medicare and Medicaid increased the uninsured, escalate medical care costs, and drive the public government programs into insolvency," said Palmisano during a discussion at the American Enterprise Institute Friday. "You can't force a bad treatment using intimidation and ad hominem attacks against the only persons qualified to give medical care."

Price said there are "three death nails for quality medicine: government option/public option, any mandate, and seceding the definition of quality to Washington."

Price added that "affordability, access, quality, responsiveness, innovation, and choice," are the six main principles of health care. According to Price, a government take-over will hurt these principles since the government will focus on costs and access to insurance but neglect the other significant concerns.

Price stated that the available data clearly shows this, but accused the Democrats and President Barack Obama of "refusing to face facts."