OTTAWA — In Washington, there’s lots of sound and fury over Congressional Democrats’ approval of a health care reform bill Sunday night. Democrats said the bill was needed but Republicans vow to carry the fight against the bill to voters. Ottawa Tea Party member Brad Heathman said he’ll sign up for the fight. The bill is a mistake and Heathman said he’d fight to get it repealed. Heathman said the provisions are too intrusive and he opposes the mandates requiring people to buy health insurance.
However, one Ottawan applauds the passage of the bill. Gordon Bailey said he’s glad the bill has passed because people with pre-existing health problems can now get health insurance. Supporters say the bill will eliminate many abuses by private health insurance companies, and will extend health coverage to many Americans. Ransom Memorial Hospital CEO Larry Felix said he’s still trying to gauge the impact of the new health care reform bill on his hospital. The bill will insure that poor, uninsured Americans will be able to get coverage, which is a strong positive, he said. The requirement that all Americans get health coverage is actually a positive because it spreads out the cost of health care insurance coverage and makes coverage less expensive for all, he said. The 7,000-page bill presents a complication and funding the program by “take-aways” from providers is a concern, he said.
Monday, March 22, 2010; 4 p.m.
