Herb Kohl's Healthcare Video

[Broca]

http://aging.senate.gov/

[Lifelong Protester]

1. I'm giving you a rec here, as Kohl's video should be seen

by many. He is doing a good job, IMHO. I like his list of items that he thinks we need around minute 3:30. And I also like his reassurances to seniors, since he is chairman of the senate committee on aging.

This video should go viral!

[Pharlo]

2. He has also issued an e-mail that addresses the same issues.

I received that today.

[undeterred]

3. Kohl's visit turns into health care debate

By Andrew Dowd
Leader-Telegram staff
Controversial health care reforms - including a public option to compete with private insurance - and other major policy changes affecting the health care industry likely won't happen this year, U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., said Monday afternoon in Eau Claire.

"It won't be earth-shattering; there are too many politics involved," Kohl said.

He said he's holding out hope a bill being drafted by the Senate Finance Committee, which has an even number of Democrats and Republicans, will reach the Senate floor in mid-September.

"That may be the most important bill," he said, adding that other proposals have been backed almost entirely by Democrats.

Aside from the public option, Kohl said he doubts other reforms he supports, including government-negotiated prices for medication and living will conferences, will be in the legislation that's eventually passed. Congress will pass some smaller reforms this year, he said, but nothing sweeping.

The Democratic lawmaker visited Eau Claire to present two grants, but his appearance quickly turned into a 70-minute debate with an audience of about 35 on health care reforms.

Several audience members spoke out against Democrat-backed health care proposals, arguing government intervention would just worsen the problem of health care costs.

Kevin Rosenberg, an Eau Claire businessman, said the public option would pit the free market against a government plan.

"Virtually, what you're trying to say is you're trying to destroy our health care system, and it's the greatest in the world," he said.

He advocated other changes like interstate competition between insurance companies and benefits for those with health savings accounts.

Scott Kniprath of Eau Claire challenged Kohl by saying the government already intervenes too much in health care. He said people want choice in their insurance coverage and providers, and that should be left up to the free market.

Kohl often referred back to statistics showing the U.S. currently spends 16 percent of its gross domestic product on health care expenses, the highest of all developed countries, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. The U.S. spends an average of $7,290 per capita on health care compared with the $2,964 average of developed nations.

Kohl said detractors of health care reforms supported by Democrats might take solace in knowing major changes, namely the public option, aren't likely this year.

"I don't think that will happen, so you can feel some comfort in that, perhaps," he said.

http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-news_local.asp?id=BKTN00350GE