Skelton talks health care reform with industry execs, protesters

U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton met Friday with area doctors, nurses and hospital administrators at a roundtable on health care reform legislation making its way through the U.S. Congress.

A group of more than 30 protesters gathered outside the meeting at Bothwell Regional Health Center to express their concerns with the reform legislation and the fact that Skelton conducted the meeting behind closed doors. 

After the roundtable, Skelton told reporters he spent most of the meeting asking questions and listening to frank, informative conversations about the issues facing medical professionals in rural regions. 

Health care reform is a complex issue, especially with multiple versions of the reform legislation and varying amendments included in both the House and Senate bills, Skelton said. He wanted to use Congress’ August recess to meet with those who work in the field to hear their concerns about the impact health care reform may have.

“I haven’t made up my mind. We don’t even have the bills yet,” Skelton said. “I can find something wrong with each (version) at this point.”

His chief concerns about the health care reform proposals revolve around the cost of the proposal for taxpayers, cost containment for medical care, benefits provided to military veterans and the federal insurance option, which is only included in the House version of the bill.

John Dawes, chief executive and president of Bothwell Regional Health Center, said the discussion touched on many topics, ranging from workforce development and the shortage of nurses facing many rural hospitals to the impact that tort reform has on health care reform.

“I think today was all about how complicated health care reform is, but it’s also an emotional issue that impacts everybody,” Dawes said.

The emotional nature of the issue was evident outside the building where the meeting took place, where more than 30 demonstrators waved signs in protest of health care reform proposals in Congress.

Some of the protesters agreed that health care reform is needed, but they were unsatisfied with the current proposed legislation. 

“We need a plan, just not this one,” said Carolyn Miller, of Green Ridge.

Tom Dey, of Smithton, was upset that the roundtable was not open for public input. Dey said he was not opposed to expanding access to health care, but he said the government should not be in charge of it. He was also concerned that the reform legislation was moving through Congress too quickly.

“I’m not saying we can’t make it better, but they should take more time,” Dey said. “We need to slow down and do it right.”

“I don’t have a problem with health care reform by itself,” said Keith Roberts, who made the trip from Concordia to express his discontent. “But the fact that they’re insisting it needs to be done in a hurry is wrong.”

Skelton also expressed his concern that the push for reforming the industry is moving through Congress too quickly.

“I am concerned about the pace,” Skelton said. “It would suit me better to be more deliberate and take our time.”

No single solution to health care reform is going to make everyone happy, Dawes said. He said it is difficult to account for every consequence from a major overhaul of such an expansive industry, but he added that is why Skelton wanted to receive input from people working in the field.

“To do nothing is not an option,” Dawes said.

Following the roundtable, Skelton visited with the demonstrators outside. Carolyn Miller, of Green Ridge, remained unsatisfied with what Skelton had to say after the meeting.

“He has to be careful. He can’t give a response,” Miller said. “He’ll just go back and do what he wants.”

Skelton said he understands the concerns and the emotional response to the issue. Medical care is the center of many people’s lives, and reforming the industry is a challenge for every member of Congress, he said.

“The health care professionals I met with today are sincere in their desire to do it right,” Skelton said. “They want to do it right, and that is the challenge for us.”