Webb's facepalm-worthy op-ed on heathcare

[Blue_Tires]

Webb cites concerns, amendments, votes on health care




By: Senator Jim Webb

December 15, 2009

Like all of my colleagues in the Democratic Party, I voted in favor of proceeding to debate the proposed health- care reform legislation. I have yet to decide whether I will support final passage of the bill.

I have stated on several occasions my concerns that the Obama administration should have begun the health- care process with a clear, detailed proposal, from which legislation could then be put into place. Instead, the legislation now before the Congress is the product of five separate congressional committees, three in the House and two in the Senate. I and my staff have carefully worked through thousands of pages of sometimes contradictory information, and have done our best to bring focus to the debate and clarity to any final product.

Our country needs health-care reform. While a strong percentage of Americans are satisfied with their health care, the system is not working for millions of others. Spiraling costs for health care also have placed our biggest industries at a severe competitive disadvantage worldwide, and have become unsustainable for many small businesses.

But true reform must be done in an effective and responsible fashion, without creating a cumbersome, overly bureaucratic system. The bottom line should be to achieve a more cost- ef fective health-care system that increases accessibility, af fordability, and quality of care, and which does not burden our economy along the way.

The process also requires openness, so that the American people understand exactly what is being debated. At the start of this debate I was one of eight senators who called on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to post the text and complete budget scores of the health-care bill on a public web site for review at least 72 hours prior to both the first vote and final passage. This request was agreed to, affording proper transparency in the process.

Over the past few weeks, I have taken a number of difficult votes. As with every other issue since I came to the Senate, I have voted my conscience throughout this process. I have broken with my party six times, including four votes to send the current legislation back to committee for a more thorough review.

http://webb.senate.gov/newsroom/newsarticles/12-15-2009-02.cfm

note: this ran as an op-ed in the Winchester Star

[westerebus]

1. This is why he has my support. n/t

[davidwparker]

2. Good. I was unable to leave a message with his office last week asking to

vote against the bill.

Since I now see that he is still open to voting against it, I will make another call.

It should be killed and the process restarted. This time, Medicare for all under 65 who want to opt in.

on edit: just emailed Webb and Warner to vote NO on the final bill. An OPT-IN to Medicare for those under 65 is easy for all to understand -- even the tea-baggers.

[damyank913]

3. Good job outta Webb!!!!!!!!

Without a public option this bill will not contain costs-which is supposed to be the whole point. It would just be more Congressional acquiescence to big money corporations.