Friday, August 14, 2009

Sen. Conrad (D-ND) Won't Support Govt Run Plan

Conrad says he won’t support government-run health care program

By: Katie Ryan, The Jamestown Sun

CARRINGTON, N.D. — Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D. presented his cooperative health care proposal here Thursday and told an audience of 100 that he would not vote for a government-run health care program.

Conrad stopped in Carrington as part of his a statewide tour touting the Senate Finance Committee’s cooperative health care proposal. The proposal has received bipartisan support for several reasons, he said. The cooperative would offer a non-profit insurance option to compete with private health care. It would not be government run, he said. Individuals, families and small business owners could stick with their current provider, or they could opt for the cooperative plan.

Health care issues are a concern in the country and North Dakota, Conrad said. A North Dakota family of four currently pays more than $11,000 for health insurance. By 2016, Conrad predicted health insurance costs could almost double to more than $20,000 for a family of four. “The government itself cannot afford the direction we’re going,” he said. Those attending the meeting also voiced their concerns regarding health care reform.

Carrington Mayor Don Frye said his concern was the importance of health care in rural areas. He feared health care reform could impact rural facilities like the Carrington Health Center. “Our community’s strength is only as strong as the health care system in place,” he said.

Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements are handled unfairly, Conrad said. The reimbursements punish states like North Dakota whose work is more efficient. He said he won’t vote for any reform plan that doesn’t make reimbursements more equitable. Dr. Todd Schaffer, a family practice doctor who works at Carrington Health Center, said patients should be treated without regard to costs. That, however, doesn’t always happen. “The health care that we give is sometimes not what we want,” Schaffer said.

Matt Paulson, pharmacist at Carrington Drug, said health care reform needs accountability. And it needs time to create the best solution. “When things are rushed in our daily lives, things get missed,” he said.

Conrad agreed. He said he and the Senate Finance Committee have yet to submit a final proposal. The proposal needs more time and shouldn’t be rushed, he said.

President Barack Obama had originally set an August deadline for the House and Senate to pass health care reform. That target is too rushed, Conrad said. “I don’t think an arbitrary timetable fits with an issue of this complexity,” he said. Conrad said he would not vote for any health care reform that funded abortions, care for illegal immigrants or a plan that mandates end-of-life counseling.

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