McCaskill hosts Health Care Listening Forum at SEMO--Kennett

Senator Claire McCaskill hosted a public forum on health care reform at 9 a.m., on Monday, at Southeast Missouri State University-Kennett, receiving a large response from the Kennett community and individuals from surrounding regions voicing opinions on the proposed government plan.

McCaskill was introduced as a graduate of the University of Missouri, the first person to ever defeat a sitting governor in a primary election, and the first woman from Missouri to be elected to the United States Senate.

Individuals attending the forum were given a sheet of paper titled 'Questions for Claire' upon their arrival. The sheets asked the individual to provide the date, in addition to their name, e-mail address, physical address, phone number, and their question or comment for McCaskill.

Once the sheets were completed, members of McCaskill's staff collected them and placed them into a bucket.

At the beginning of the forum, McCaskill noted that she appreciated everyone for attending and that 'it was really important to democracy.'

"I am the luckiest woman on the planet because I have the opportunity to do this," McCaskill said.

She continued by informing the crowd that she would not spend time on talking points, but use all of the time to answer questions. An individual from the crowd was chosen to randomly select questions from the bucket. After the selection of that individual, the first question was handed to McCaskill who read the name of the individual submitting the question. The submitting party then had the opportunity to vocally ask McCaskill the question on the sheet.

The first question chosen was submitted by Jodi Green, who asked if McCaskill agreed with Nancy Polosi that 'anyone speaking against the health care plan is a Nazi and un-American.' Green added that she believed that "the so called 'mob' that some individuals were being considered for speaking against a tyrannical administration is the absolute essence of American freedom."

McCaskill said, "I couldn't agree more and I think it is a huge mistake for anyone to suggest that people against the health care plan are manufactured. Both sides are organizing, but that is what we do in a democracy. I think it's great that people are coming out."

McCaskill disagreed with the description of the administration as 'tyrannical' and noted that she hoped by the end of the day questions would be answered over what will 'probably happen with the health care plan.'

The Senator added that a lot of misinformation was being voiced in the public. She asked the crowd how many had Medicare and how many want to get rid of it. "Medicare is an example of government having a dominant role in health care," McCaskill said. "The main reason for the reform is to keep the Medicare program strong so that it is still around for our grandchildren."

The second question chosen was from Barbara Hancock, asking if the senator had read the bill, if the plan funded Planned Parenthood, and how the plan would be paid for.

McCaskill noted that she was currently reading the bill 'page by page, but did not read the House bill because it wouldn't be approved.' She also noted that she 'is still spending half of every day on health care and really trying to get information from the public and health care providers on the issues.'

"The plan has nothing for planned parenthood or abortions," according to McCaskill.

"I won't vote for a bill that is not deficit neutral," McCaskill said. "I have a weird voting record that I think makes me uniquely a Missourian. I split ways with my party on a variety of things and mostly on ways to spend money."

She added that she has been focused on ways to pay for the plan and that proposals have varied 'but none taxed anyone making less than $250,000 per year.'

McCaskill noted that the average salary of CEOs of the 10 largest insurance companies is $10 million per year. She informed the crowd that the 10 largest insurance companies made $2.4 billion in profits in 2000 and $12.9 billion in profits in 2007.

"These insurance companies have the right to not insure individuals who become really sick," McCaskill noted.

"This is my focus and think it is the most of the members' focus on how to fix that problem and in the process bring down costs," McCaskill continued. "Finance in congress is taxing some of these insurance companies."

The third question selected was submitted by Leah Mobley, of Kennett, who said, "My doctor knows what tests I need a lot better than any government official." She followed the comment by asking the senator for the names of the individuals who wrote the bill.

McCaskill responded by informing Mobley that the plan is designed to place decisions regarding testing with the physicians because it is currently too often in the hands of the insurance companies.

The current bill had 55 hearings with 10 Democrats and eight Republicans on the committee, according to McCaskill. The senator added that the bill consisted of 47 Democratic amendments and over 130 Republican amendments. McCaskill pointed out that after all of the Republican amendments were accepted, none of the Republicans voted for the bill. She informed Mobley that her staff would be happy to get the details and names of individuals sponsoring the various amendments.

Sam Dempsey was chosen for the fourth question, asking McCaskill why the health care plan was not called 'Medicare for everyone' and why it allowed people who fall between the cracks, who aren't qualifying for Medicaid.

McCaskill disagreed with Dempsey's notion to have 'Medicare for all,' because it would create a single-payer insurance.'

"I want there to be an exchange where people who don't get insurance at work can go and find affordable insurance," McCaskill said. "I am not for a single payer, but want competition for the insurance companies. I am not aware of any support for a complete government take over of health care."

Senath, Mo., Mayor Joe Lane's question was drawn as the next question for McCaskill. Lane asked about the promise that everyone would have the ability to get the same insurance as Congress.

McCaskill noted that she was fully committed to using whatever options available to give individuals the same insurance as Congress has available.

The next question came from Dorothy Hoonahan, of Hayti, Mo., who asked if McCaskill agreed with the rationing of health care for the elderly.

The senator noted that her mother was 81-years-old and wanted to attend the meetings to inform people that the senator would do nothing to take away her mother's Medicare.

"This notion of offending one of the steadiest voting groups in American by telling them they are not worthy is ridiculous," McCaskill said. " The AARP has said repeatedly what is being said about end of life care is untrue, and there is nothing in the bill about people at the end of their life no longer being valuable and not entitled to health care."

The end of life care in the bill is about making sure that elderly receive all information needed to decide if surgeries or procedures are necessary, according to McCaskill.

"Many people near the end of their life never even learn about hospice," McCaskill said. "People who have had family members go through hospice can see that sometimes it is better than spending the last days in a hospital."

The bill gives more incentive for doctors to spend time with families and help individuals make good decisions about the end of their life.

"This is America and we are not ever going to treat our elderly [badly]," McCaskill said.

Chancellor P. Wayne, D.C. asked McCaskill if the plan would cover chiropractic services because the current Blue Cross Blue Shield plan dropped the coverage.

McCaskill noted that everything had not been sorted out, but she 'was hopeful that there would be an open playing field for all health care fields.' She added that she would go back and find out specifically about chiropractors and optometrist and get back to these fields.

The next question chosen was from Joe Ford, of Kennett, who informed the senator that there was too much money being spent by the government.

McCaskill agreed with Ford and added that the plan 'will not socialize medicine.' She noted that 'Medicare is a government run health program, and that the government has experience in this country of being involved in health care.'

"Clearly we have to be doing something right, because nobody wants us to touch Medicare," McCaskill said.

Green asked McCaskill if she disagreed with President Barrack Obama who has said that he want the health care socialized.

McCaskill responded by informing Green that the President does not support a single payer plan as we reform health care today.

Green noted that Obama had made this statement recently, to which McCaskill responded, "I don't think so, but whether or not the President said it, I can tell you Congress will not pass a single payer plan."

McCaskill noted that she agreed that too much money was being spent and added that she recently voted against the extension of the cash for clunkers plan.

Will Richardson, of Jackson, Mo., asked McCaskill 'how the plan will deal with the difficulties that individuals face with health care insurance coverage.'

McCaskill noted that the Blue Cross Blue Shield net income in 2000 was $226 Million, and the net income in 2007 was $3.3 billion. 'This change is an increase in net income of 1,380 percent, and the average CEO salary became $9.1 million,' the senator noted.

"Reform is necessary, I don't want to get in the business of telling companies how much to pay their employees, but something has to be done," McCaskill said. "People are paying more out of their pocket today than three years ago. We have done the math and if we continue at the same increase, that has been seen over last several years and do nothing, by 2015 we will be spending an average of $25,000 per year in health care, instead of the current average of $12,000 per year in health care."

The next question was submitted by David Jewel, of Kennett, who asked if there were going to be any incentives for doctors to push preventive treatments.

McCaskill noted that healthy lifestyles and preventive treatments would receive incentives, and it was not fair for everyone to pay the same for health care insurance when treating their bodies differently.

She added that diabetes was the biggest expense for Americans, and that 'if the expense of diabetes decreased by 10 percent, then the arc of the deficit would change.'

An individual from the audience informed the senator that not all diabetics are people who don't try to get better, because some are genetic cases.

McCaskill apologized to the individual and added that there were two types of diabetes and that 'the one that is not genetic is the one costing the nation money.'

Dale Puttman, of Steele, Mo., submitted the next question, asking if illegal aliens would be covered by the proposed health care plan. Puttman noted that he did not understand what part of "illegal" that people did not understand.

McCaskill agreed with Puttman and informed him that the bill reads that no federal payments will be distributed to benefit those not lawfully present in the United States of America

Senator Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, thanked McCaskill for being in Kennett and noted that McCaskill said she wouldn't vote for a plan that increased the deficit in Washington. Mayer asked what the fiscal note upon HR-3200 was and specifically how McCaskill would implement a health care plan that does not increase the budget. He noted that reduction would have to be made and asked if McCaskill could give a general idea of where the cuts would be made and where revenue would come from to pay for such a plan.

McCaskill informed Mayer that she had not read the House bill because it would not be considered and there were several differences between the two plans. She added that the Senate version of the bill would cost $600 billion and the needed funds would have to be found.

"We have talked about a number things and a tax on people who have net incomes over $2 million," McCaskill said.

"How much will that generate," Mayer asked.

McCaskill noted that 'the amount generated depended on the total.' She added that her staff could get Mayer and anyone else the numbers and that 'the CEO's of the health companies could stand a tax cut with their average net income.'

McCaskill ended the forum by saying, "We did great with these questions and I want to compliment this part of the state for its good manners. I care very much about your community and I work for you and I am accountable to you. I am so proud to be from Missouri today, and we will answer all of the questions in the bucket by e-mail, letter, or phone call. I love that everyone is engaged, excited, and passionate about this. God bless you all."

Following the meeting, McCaskill noted that 'she sensed a lot of strong emotion, but good Missouri manners.' She added that she had been looking forward to the forum and was hopeful that the manners and rules would help set the tone.

"Missouri asked hard questions," McCaskill said. "There is a lot of misinformation out there and one is that we are looking at a government take over. People need to stop telling lies and get the correct information."

McCaskill noted that she was going to try and cover the entire state of Missouri on the tour and that they had decided to begin in Southeast Missouri.

She added that Hayti, Mo., was very important 'because of the trouble the city is having with keeping the hospital's doors open.'

"What I want to see in the final product is a public option," McCaskill said. "We need some kind of public option to heighten competition and bring down costs for everything."

She noted that she wanted to hear and look at all ideas.

Kennett Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Jan McElwrath, noted that she was glad that the group did not get too rowdy, but hoped it did not seem as if the city was not passionate.

Kennett resident, Leah Mobley noted that it was a nice public relation gesture and was pleasant and civil, but she wishes that the plan would be dropped 'because more government control is dangerous.'

"People take freedoms for granted and are throwing them away," Mobley said.

Tim Shaw, director of Bootheel Area Independent Living Services (B.A.I.L.S.) noted that he was happy with all the media coverage and proud to see national coverage in Kennett, as media outlets such as CNN and Fox News were present in addition to local media sources.

Marsha Blanchard, director of Southeast Missouri State University - Kennett, said, "I thought the event was very productive for everybody. The senator seemed happy to be here and tried to answer a lot of questions. I thought this event was great for the community and for the campus."