American Health Care Stories Require American Solutions, by Chet Edwards

http://edwards.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16&Itemid=28 ^ | 8/19/2009 | Chet Edwards

[native texan]

I received this in an email this morning. Sounds like Chet wants to ride the fence as long as he can.

American Health Care Stories Require American Solutions A column by Congressman Chet Edwards

[native texan]

A column by Congressman Chet Edwards

We are a country of diverse interests, but we share common values and hopes for the future. Among those core values are fairness and hard work. If we put in the hours at work everyday, we expect a fair wage and stable benefits to ensure we can support our families, provide them a good education, and have access to affordable, quality health care.

Health care and the question of reform have been personal concerns to all of us for some time now. We have all heard the stories of family members, friends, or neighbors, most of them middle class families, who work hard, but still struggle because their health insurance premiums have doubled, or because they don’t have enough coverage to get the care they need for themselves or their children. Too many have no coverage at all.

The questions many are asking today are -- What works and what does not work in our present health care delivery system? What does reform mean for me? How can we maintain the many positive aspects of our health care system while crafting reforms that add security for those middle class families whose values and strong work ethic represent the very best of our nation? I have not decided how I will vote, but these questions are also on my mind.

One thing is clear. These American stories require uniquely American solutions. Reforming our health care system, which accounts for one-sixth of our national economy, must be done carefully. It cannot be rushed and it cannot be based on health care models from other countries.

As I read the various health care reform bills making their way through Congress, my vote will be guided by fundamental principles: lowering costs, maintaining competition and choice, and preserving quality care. I will strongly oppose any one size fits all single-payer plan that socializes our health care system or prevents people from keeping the quality private health care plan of their choice.

Before receiving my support, any reform plan would have to preserve the many positive aspects of America’s health care system. That includes offering a wide range of private health insurance options, ensuring patients choice of doctors, and access to modern, effective technology that enables our health care providers to continue to provide the quality care we have become accustomed to receiving. Most of all, reform must allow people to keep their existing insurance plans if they are happy with them.

These stories of our family members, friends, and neighbors are a constant reminder that the current health care system is financially unsustainable. Fast-rising health care costs are hurting and even bankrupting many middle-income families and small businesses. The cost of insuring a family is growing at nearly four times the rate of wage increases. Under our current health care system, it is estimated that the average Texas family will pay $24,000 annually for health care by 2016. That would be an astounding 51% of the average Texas family income.

The fact that 46 million Americans, over 18% of our population, lack basic health insurance is a serious problem and one that is growing worse every day. Texas has the highest percentage of uninsured of any state in the nation, with over 25% of Texans lacking health coverage. The large number of uninsured puts a burden on those who do have health insurance, increasing our waiting times in the emergency room, where so many seek care, and driving up the price of health insurance coverage for everyone else. Every Texas family, on average, pays an additional $1,800 in insurance premiums each year to cover the treatment costs for uninsured Americans. That has to end.

Reform must mean that small businesses and the self-employed such as farmers, ranchers and realtors can have their excessive health insurance premiums reduced. It must help families with spouses or children with serious illnesses or pre-existing conditions get health care at reasonable prices. It must lower prescription drug prices for seniors that are far higher than prices charged in other countries. It must reduce the number of uninsured going to hospital emergency rooms for primary care, which can be ten times more expensive than visiting a family physician.

As the health care debate unfolds, I am committed to listening to the concerns of families, doctors, hospitals, and businesses throughout our district to determine the best solution to the issues facing our health care system. Until then, I will keep an open mind on how I will vote. In Congress and here at home, we must have a healthy and open dialogue based on facts and mutual respect. If we can work together in good faith, my hope is that we can write a new chapter of the American story, one that once again relies on the core middle class values of hard work and fairness to guide the way.

Congressman Edwards represents District 17.

[WesternCulture]

Chet Edwards might be a Democrat, but I guess many Republicans would agree with him this far;

“One thing is clear. These American stories require uniquely American solutions.”

However, a lot of American Liberals, at least seemingly, fail to understand how different the US is from France, Britain, Sweden, Canada etc. It is a matter of economic, cultural, demographic as well as political structures. Just to name a few ones.

They also fail to understand that from an American aspect, many European health care systems definitely offer less.

It's not a complete lie that a nation like my country, Sweden, boasts a high quality health care system. Neither is it a lie that it in many ways is rather cost efficient.

However, compared to its American counterpart, the Swedish health care system involves

- more of waiting lists
- less of personal choice

Many Swedes (although not a majority) chose to go to a private clinic instead. By doing so they get to pay twice; firstly, for the health care they receive from the private clinic and secondly (being tax payers), for the health care they do NOT receive from the government.

Sweden and the US could gain from studying each other, but unwisely trying to implement different solutions from the other society on home soil, like they were different dishes on a Smörgåsbord/Smorgasbord, is likely to fail.

I get the feeling that American Liberals who praise most aspects of Sweden don't understand much about either Sweden or America.

Most things that are good about Sweden stem from Lutheran work ethics and successful multinationals, while most things that are bad are related to ideologies closely related to their believes.

Regardless of this and regardless of Obama, I hope the best for the American population which indeed are among the closest friends and allies we Swedes have in this insane world we all live in.

[McLynnan]

Chet spoke with Waco area physicians this morning. Those who attended said he declined to make a commitment but solicited their opinions and concerns. He is going to “listen to all sides and consider all options.” (paraphrasing) Yes, he’s on the fence still trying to determine which way the wind blows for his fortunes.

[erman]

we need to get rid of this faux conservative douche bag democrat.

He's been riding the "I'm saving the Waco VA" from the evil bureaucrats since I've been here. GAWD! I can't take it.

The FIRST VOTE he made after the last election was to CUT FUNDING for the troops in Iraq. He's gonna run from that vote.

He was getting wet just thinking about possible being the VP for Obama... now he's going to want everyone to forget that...

He's a Pelosi stooge that is conservative in our district then goes to Washington and just bends over and gets it from Pelosi and the rest of the liberals.

Yeah. He's going to vote for the "Co-ops" and save us. He's going down this year. We have got to find a conservative Republican that is able to run from this district. It almost seems that somebody in the local Republican Party is paid off to get douche bags or people with no experience to run in order to let this bag of worms represent us.

The reason he's on the listening tour is cause the people in our area went to his office and posted a petition demanding he come out to play. He is representing a conservative district and has been allowed to slide for to long.

[ziravan]

Monday, I talked with a group of CD-17 voters and here’s the thing. It doesn’t take a phD to understand and take a position on this issue of gov’t takeover and control of health care: it takes some commons sense and OUR community values.

If Chet doesn’t commit to voting against this bill BEFORE he goes back to Washington, he’s toast. Being “on the fence” is enough of an indictment to end his career. What it means is that Chet doesn’t know HOW he will vote because Nancy Pelosi hasn’t told him, yet. And THAT is how anybody involved on this issue will see it.

“I can’t make up my mind because I haven’t seen the final details,” and, “I won’t vote for a single-payer option (that isn’t officially in any version of this bill)” are cop-outs.

Be specific, Chet. It’s a sure bet when it comes to this issue, your constituents are!

[lilibee]

I’m sorry to say he’s the rep. in my district. For reasons I don’t understand it’s mostly Democratic, very few Republicans. I’ve only lived in this district 5 years but I’m confused why the people keep re-electing him, much less why anybody would vote Democrat in the 1st place. He got a few hundred thousand dollars for road repair for the lake I live at, and spent it all at the county seat a half hour away. Pandering for votes in a larger populated area. The letter I got from him on health care just basically repeated Obama’s talking points - if you like your insurance you should keep it, etc. I will actively campaign for his Republican opponent in 2010, whoever it may be. He announced dates for 2 healthcare townhall meetings at a town a half hour from me, and I planned to go. Then he announced he was going to do a conference call. He’s going to phone it in.

[BlueLancer]

Well, I'm glad that y'all took him from us a number of years ago ... he used to represent the Fort Hood area. Now we have a good one, John Carter ...

Sorry about your "gain" of Chet Edwards.

[ziravan]

I’m running for Congress against Chet Edwards. http://www.timothyforcongress.com We need a conservative representative. This is the most conservative district in the nation with a liberal democrat in office. In the last Congress, Chet voted with Nancy Pelosi and her party 96% of the time. Liberal Maxine Waters from California voted with her party 95.9% of the time. Chet Edwards is a more consistent liberal than Maxine Waters.

He had an “F” rating with the NRA before he was redistricted.

He has an “A” rating with NARAL for consistently voting for abortion, including partial-birth abortion.

Listen. Keep the faith. I’ve been up and down this district since February talking with the people of Dist. 17. People are fed up and ready to take back their gov’t. This is a different election cycle coming up, and Chet is worried. He SHOULD BE. What he’s worried about is Y-O-U.

His “I brought 10 million dollars to the district to ensure that the sun rises tomorrow” schtick is old and worn out. It doesn’t fly in the face of the SIX TRILLION DOLLARS in new debt and spending that he voted in favor of since last Oct.

This is Chet’s last term in office. I’m sure Nancy Pelosi’s ideological soulmate choice for VP won’t have a problem finding work with the rest of the socialists in this Administration.

[LA Woman3]

Thanks for the update on this morning's meeting. In the meantime....another hat has been thrown in the ring.

Past GOP candidate McIntyre seeks U.S. rep run again

[McLynnan]

We’ll see who is the strongest candidate. Rob Curnock sounds like he’s going to run hard too.

[McLynnan]

Just checked my answering machine and learned I’ve been selected for Chet Edward’s telephone town hall tomorrow and have the opportunity to submit a question. I have a LOT of questions, but don’t want to squander this opportunity. Obviously hostility and sarcasm won’t get me heard. Any suggestions for a hard hitting question that will stand out from the others and force a factual response? Off to bed but will check back in the morning. Please ping any FReepers you know in District 17.

[LA Woman3]

Oh you got a golden ticket!!! You need to post this question in a vanity thread! Seriously.

[erman]

Question #1-If my active, intelligent, 76 year old grandmother needs open heart surgery and 20 women need prenatal care and there is only $300,000 budgeted for the health district, who decides on the time of surgery? The doctor, the patient or the health district supervisor?

Question #2.. what if granny is 60 years old?

Question #3.. what if granny is 50 years old?

How are the premiums that people pay into the government "private/public" option going to be invested in order to pay off medical bills or are we pre-budgeting from tax revenues?

Who is going to determine how much money is going to be budgeted in each health district? Will it be by age, tax base or other demographics.?

If I move from one area of the country to another, will my coverage options change?

Are doctors going to be allowed to bill separately or will they be mandated to accept only payments from the public option? Who determines what the payment is going to be for each physician?

. Are you going to read the bill before you vote on it or will you use your staff to fill you in on what is in the bill?

Final Question..will you or your family be covered under the insurance that you pass in congress?

[native texan]

I also got a call. Can't believe it. My question is going to be why Chet accepts donations from SEIU, especially since Texas is a right to work state. Another question is, do you realize the health care push by congress is not constitutional. They have no authority by our Constitution to pass any bill concerning health care.

[LA Woman3]

I would ask Congressman Edwards if this plan is so great, why is Congress not choosing to give up their current healthcare coverage.

[McLynnan]

Great question about SEIU! I know the call went out to 200,000 households, so competition may be pretty stiff to get our questions heard. Let’s report back to this thread with our results. I like your constitutional point.

[McLynnan]

You have great questions. I already had your question about premium investment in mind. How do they guarantee this Ponzi scheme won’t go bankrupt? I like your question #1 but will bet you $$$ he has a canned platitude of a response on that.

[McLynnan]

I hoped you got the call too!!

[ziravan]

I would ask: “You’ve said that you can’t weigh in on health care until you see the final bill, and you’ve also said that you don’t support a single payer option, something that was never officially on the table. Don’t you owe it to us to be more specific and more detailed about how you intend to vote, and to do so BEFORE you go back to Washington?”

[paulycy]