MACOMB -- Nearly 200 people squeezed into a City Hall meeting room on Aug. 19 to quiz Cong. Phil Hare, D-17th, about health system reform.
Hare said he will have held 18 town hall meetings and two telephone conferences with his constituents on the proposed reforms. He's not afraid of controversy, he said.
"Nobody owns me on this issue. The insurance companies are mad at me," he said.
The audience was polite and civil, and expressed gratitude that Hare was meeting with them, even though some of their questions and comments revealed their concerns and disagreements with reform. No signs or guns appeared.
After presenting problems with the current health care system, Hare said House Bill 3200, the 1,000-page bill he has worked on in committee, has several components:
1. Those now receiving health insurance can keep their policies if they choose to.
2. People can enter an exchange, consisting of different private insurance providers who agree not to rule out pre-existing conditions or cancel policies due to illness or claims.
3. People can sign up for the public option, which will be similar to a standard insurance plan, but will cost only 5 percent of a person's income, which for someone earning $50,00 a year, would be about $220 a month.
4. The Medicare doughnut hole on prescription drugs would be closed. "We're trying to fix Medicare," he said.
5. The plan will contain coverage for mental health issues.
6. It will provide for loan forgiveness for doctors and nurses who work in rural areas.
7. Coverage will be required of all, he said. Those who refuse to buy it will be required to pay for their health care in full.
8. People can form cooperatives to obtain care if they want to, an amendment Hare said he sponsored.
Illegal aliens will not be covered, and no federal funds will cover abortions, he said.
Still, audience members brought up these hot button issues in questions, but Hare deflected them.
In a diversion attempt, a member of the audience mentioned abortion and "killing babies" and urged Hare to vote against federal funds for Planned Parenthood. He demanded to know Hare's stand on reproductive rights for women.
Hare responded that he is pro-choice, to applause.
Another member of the audience asked whether Hare though health care is a civil right.
Hare responded that health care is a right.
"I guess I know where you stand," the man said.
Hare explained to other questioners that there is no 'death panel' involved in the House plan. When someone tried to quote a section of the bill, he responded that section likely dealt with an effort to control fraud.
He argued that tort reform and illegal immigration are separate issues that need to be addressed separately by Congress.
From the tone of these questions, it became apparent that some people are fearful that the changes will diminish their coverage or the system itself. But Hare argued that in the 17th District 99.5 percent of the people will pay less for coverage.
He said 82,000 people in the district without coverage will get it under this plan, if passed by Congress.
Hare is sponsoring a live telephone town hall meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 27. The toll free number is 877/229-8493 with the pin number 13812. Questions can be asked by dialing Star 3.
Hare is also posting a simplified explanation of the plan on his website.
-- Elaine Hopkins
Comments