Posted 8:36 am Monday, March 22, 2010
East Texans React To Historic Vote
By CHAD THOMAS
& ROY MAYNARD
Staff Writers
After more than a year of debate, House Democrats narrowly passed a $940 billion health care reform bill that promises sweeping changes to nation's medical system and coverage improvements to the insured and uninsured.
Approval of the long-disputed health care legislation came Sunday night after hours of lively commentary by representatives on the House floor.
& ROY MAYNARD
Staff Writers
After more than a year of debate, House Democrats narrowly passed a $940 billion health care reform bill that promises sweeping changes to nation's medical system and coverage improvements to the insured and uninsured.
Approval of the long-disputed health care legislation came Sunday night after hours of lively commentary by representatives on the House floor.
The bill's passage, by a vote of 219-212, was met with mixed reaction among lawmakers, and health care providers in Washington and in East Texas.
Speaking from the Capitol, Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler, called the health care overhaul a “staggering government take-over” that he said threatens the American economy.
Speaking from the Capitol, Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler, called the health care overhaul a “staggering government take-over” that he said threatens the American economy.
The congressman also expressed his opposition to the bill's treatment of abortion, which — prior to an executive order issued Sunday by President Barack Obama promising to prevent the use of federal dollars for abortion — was to allow women receiving government health care subsidies to purchase insurance plans that would cover abortion procedures.
Gohmert said he had little faith in the president's executive order and considered the passage of the health care bill a setback for the American people.
“I feel sorry for the unborn that will lose lives as a result of this bill,” Gohmert said. “I feel sorry for future generations who will lose control of their lives that have been handed over to the government. I feel sorry for the people who will be put on government health care lists.”
Some political analysts have suggested the possible negative public reaction to the Democratic-backed bill could lead to the widespread election of Republicans in November elections. Gohmert acknowledged that possibility, but he said it was far from his thoughts as of Sunday night.
“I know there are some people who are rubbing their hands, saying, ‘this is great, wait for November,'” he said. “But I'm too heartbroken for those people (affected by the bill) right now to feel that way.”
Twelve hundred miles from Washington, in East Texas, Smith County Democratic Party Chairman David Henderson said Sunday's vote will give some momentum — though perhaps limited in its scope — to the Obama presidency.
“It keeps it from sinking, at any rate,” Henderson said. “But this is only the second round in a heavy-weight bout. The litigation will start, and the Republicans will offer legislation to repeal or kill the reform bill. It's neither the end of the world nor the beginning of universal health care, as far as I can see. But it's still a significant victory.”
Ashton Oravetz III, Smith County's Republican Party chairman, agrees.
“It's going to be very difficult to undo this, even if Republicans win majorities in November,” Oravetz said. “That's because we can be sure Obama will veto any repeal measures, and Republicans won't have the two-thirds majority to override that veto.”
He notes that several states, including Texas, will challenge the legislation in court.
“But that won't happen quickly, either,” Oravetz said. “It takes so long to get through the courts. I think it's a real tragedy for our country. It's going to be very difficult to undo the damage.”
Dr. Bennie Webster, board president of Total Healthcare Center, called the passage of the health care bill “wonderful” for the center's many community clinics that serve a large number of uninsured citizens and the elderly.
“It means more access for people to health insurance and health care,” she said. “The fact that 95 (percent of Americans) will have access to health care and have some type of insurance is great.”
Webster said the bill will unburden small businesses, many of which are unable to provide health insurance to their employees. The health care overhaul will allow previously uninsured citizens to receive treatment in community clinics, thereby freeing up overflowing hospital emergency rooms, she said.
Although she called the bill “imperfect” and in need of adjustments over time, Webster said the new health care legislation cannot be viewed exclusively in terms of dollar amounts.
“I don't think people are thinking in terms of this health care bill saving lives,” she said. “We need to look at this as a human thing.”
Lindsey Bradley, president of Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics, has reservations about the bill.
“We need to reform our system and cannot continue on the path we are on,” he acknowledged. “But we need to do it in a way that is affordable and predictable, by focusing on illness prevention, by best practices of care and personal responsibility.”
The reform measure is incomplete, Bradley contends.
“The legislation does not address the real issue of cost of care,” he said. “It brings more people into coverage, which is good, but it does not address the cost side. Our national budget is being stressed, and the question is, can the taxpayer afford this?”
For now, he said, Trinity Mother Frances will focus on caring for its patients.
“It is our mission to enhance community health through service with compassion, excellence and efficiency,” he said. “The implications of the passage of this large and extensive legislation are yet unknown, but it is our hope that it will help us to continue expanding faith-based medical care.”
Art Chance, vice president of operations with ETMC Tyler, called the bill “a challenge” for providers who are charged, in coming months, with overhauling the health care system.
“It is important to recognize that any legislation which provides health insurance to additional millions of Americans will inevitably increase demand for health care services,” Chance said in a prepared statement. “Hospitals and physicians will be responsible for finding ways to provide that additional care within the current system. That will be a challenge, the significance of which no one can completely grasp at this point.
“However, ETMC and other health care providers of East Texas have a long history of working to fulfill our mission of extending health care to East Texans. Our unwavering commitment to our community and ability to adapt will help us continue to provide quality care to our patients.”
Updated Monday, March 22, 2010 at 8:36 a.m. CDT
Gohmert said he had little faith in the president's executive order and considered the passage of the health care bill a setback for the American people.
“I feel sorry for the unborn that will lose lives as a result of this bill,” Gohmert said. “I feel sorry for future generations who will lose control of their lives that have been handed over to the government. I feel sorry for the people who will be put on government health care lists.”
Some political analysts have suggested the possible negative public reaction to the Democratic-backed bill could lead to the widespread election of Republicans in November elections. Gohmert acknowledged that possibility, but he said it was far from his thoughts as of Sunday night.
“I know there are some people who are rubbing their hands, saying, ‘this is great, wait for November,'” he said. “But I'm too heartbroken for those people (affected by the bill) right now to feel that way.”
Twelve hundred miles from Washington, in East Texas, Smith County Democratic Party Chairman David Henderson said Sunday's vote will give some momentum — though perhaps limited in its scope — to the Obama presidency.
“It keeps it from sinking, at any rate,” Henderson said. “But this is only the second round in a heavy-weight bout. The litigation will start, and the Republicans will offer legislation to repeal or kill the reform bill. It's neither the end of the world nor the beginning of universal health care, as far as I can see. But it's still a significant victory.”
Ashton Oravetz III, Smith County's Republican Party chairman, agrees.
“It's going to be very difficult to undo this, even if Republicans win majorities in November,” Oravetz said. “That's because we can be sure Obama will veto any repeal measures, and Republicans won't have the two-thirds majority to override that veto.”
He notes that several states, including Texas, will challenge the legislation in court.
“But that won't happen quickly, either,” Oravetz said. “It takes so long to get through the courts. I think it's a real tragedy for our country. It's going to be very difficult to undo the damage.”
Dr. Bennie Webster, board president of Total Healthcare Center, called the passage of the health care bill “wonderful” for the center's many community clinics that serve a large number of uninsured citizens and the elderly.
“It means more access for people to health insurance and health care,” she said. “The fact that 95 (percent of Americans) will have access to health care and have some type of insurance is great.”
Webster said the bill will unburden small businesses, many of which are unable to provide health insurance to their employees. The health care overhaul will allow previously uninsured citizens to receive treatment in community clinics, thereby freeing up overflowing hospital emergency rooms, she said.
Although she called the bill “imperfect” and in need of adjustments over time, Webster said the new health care legislation cannot be viewed exclusively in terms of dollar amounts.
“I don't think people are thinking in terms of this health care bill saving lives,” she said. “We need to look at this as a human thing.”
Lindsey Bradley, president of Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics, has reservations about the bill.
“We need to reform our system and cannot continue on the path we are on,” he acknowledged. “But we need to do it in a way that is affordable and predictable, by focusing on illness prevention, by best practices of care and personal responsibility.”
The reform measure is incomplete, Bradley contends.
“The legislation does not address the real issue of cost of care,” he said. “It brings more people into coverage, which is good, but it does not address the cost side. Our national budget is being stressed, and the question is, can the taxpayer afford this?”
For now, he said, Trinity Mother Frances will focus on caring for its patients.
“It is our mission to enhance community health through service with compassion, excellence and efficiency,” he said. “The implications of the passage of this large and extensive legislation are yet unknown, but it is our hope that it will help us to continue expanding faith-based medical care.”
Art Chance, vice president of operations with ETMC Tyler, called the bill “a challenge” for providers who are charged, in coming months, with overhauling the health care system.
“It is important to recognize that any legislation which provides health insurance to additional millions of Americans will inevitably increase demand for health care services,” Chance said in a prepared statement. “Hospitals and physicians will be responsible for finding ways to provide that additional care within the current system. That will be a challenge, the significance of which no one can completely grasp at this point.
“However, ETMC and other health care providers of East Texas have a long history of working to fulfill our mission of extending health care to East Texans. Our unwavering commitment to our community and ability to adapt will help us continue to provide quality care to our patients.”
Updated Monday, March 22, 2010 at 8:36 a.m. CDT
