Voices in the health care debate

Voices in the health care debate

Voices in the health care debate:

“You can’t cut deals to change provisions if you’re not going to vote for the bill in committee and you’re not going to vote for the bill on the floor.” — Alex Vachon, health care analyst and former Republican Senate aide, referring to a lack of GOP participation in crafting overhaul legislation.

“I think that it solidified people who might have been wavering. … I think it re-energized people. I don’t know that it changed many minds.” — Rep. Jason Altmire, D-Pa., on President Barack Obama’s speech to Congress Wednesday night.

“Right now, with our country wallowing in $9 trillion in debt already, it’s a very serious question as to whether we can do health care reform in a way that’s affordable. The best way to do it is to take these very important, but incremental steps, that we can get our hands around that won’t bust the federal budget wide open.” — Rep. Mike McIntyre, D-N.C.

“I’m not for a government-run health plan. I just don’t think the government is capable of running it efficiently. … There’s so much overpaying for doctors, hospitals. They make mistakes. No one’s checking that.” — Catherine Shaw, Medicare recipient from Audubon, N.J.

“The only place that I could see it working is as a fallback position, as in the case of prescription drugs on Medicare, where you have a public option that is triggered. That doesn’t mean I embrace the public option. … It wouldn’t be my first choice, but it may be something that can work.” — Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., on proposals for a government-run health insurance plan to compete with private insurers.

“He’ll tax anything and everything that moves in health care. … Health insurance is going to be more expensive to purchase in this country.” — R. Bruce Josten, U.S. Chamber of Commerce executive vice president, on Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus’ proposal to impose new fees on insurers, drug companies, medical device manufacturers and clinical labs.