Wisconsin senators weigh in on health debate

[undeterred]

Wisconsin’s two senators are weighing in on the debate over health care reform, saying they want to take their time to get the legislation right. They also say they want to focus on controlling rising health care costs.

On Wednesday, Sen. Russ Feingold said President Barack Obama’s initial goal of passing some form of health care legislation before members leave Washington for their summer recess in August might have been "unrealistic" and that one of the main concerns he’s hearing from people at listening sessions across the state is that lawmakers "not rush too much" to get the bill through Congress.

Feingold says lawmakers will likely be able to approve a final health care bill by the end of the year and that it could "come down to the wire," passing right before the Christmas holidays.

In a speech on the Senate floor Tuesday, Sen. Herb Kohl cautioned urged his colleagues to take their time in crafting the legislation.

"As urgent as the issue is, we must approach every aspect of health care reform thoughtfully, and not rush to complete what might be one of the most important legislative initiatives any of us will work on during our time here," he said.

The Democrat called controlling costs "our number one priority."

"I believe it is just as important as ensuring universal coverage—because if we provide universal coverage without controlling costs, the result would be financial catastrophe for our nation," he said.

Feingold, a Democrat who wants to see the legislation include a provision to create a government-run insurance program to compete with private insurers, said in a phone call with reporters Wednesday that he doesn’t know whether he would support the bill without such a measure.

"Until I see exactly what we’re doing here I don’t know how I can react to it," said Feingold, adding that the average American wants to see Congress make serious changes to the current health care system.

"There is a danger in not hearing the call of the American people," he said. "They want real reform. They don’t want a bill that’s just a label. I’m not going to settle for something that’s just a few minor things that don’t get at the core problem."

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