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8:18 a.m. • 2-10-12

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Health care reform bill fuels debate in Raleigh


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Health Care Debate
Health Care Debate

With the House of Representatives expected to vote on a health care reform bill in the coming days, both sides of the controversial issue held news conferences in Raleigh on Monday.

Tracy Walsh, a mother of five from North Augusta, S.C., is featured in a television advertisement speaking out against the President Barack Obama’s health care bill. Walsh believes the bill is an attempt by the government to take over health care.

“It’s not based on what’s best for the patient. It’s not based on what saves lives. It’s based on the lowest cost,” she said at a press conference at the North Carolina Civitas Institute on Monday.

Walsh, 44, a breast cancer survivor, said she fears Obama’s plan will limit access, provide fewer choices and lower the quality of care.

Supporters of the bill say it will lower costs.

“There’s a lot in this bill that does that without raising the bugaboo the opponents are quick to raise,” Rep. David Price, (D-NC), said at a separate news conference Monday.

Price said the plan does not include a government-run public option.

Although Price said he hasn’t seen Walsh's ad, he has heard a lot about it.

“For someone to run an ad suggesting health reform is somehow about restricting…this is just about as low as it gets,” Price said.

Obama asked Congress more than a year ago to approve legislation that extends health coverage to tens of millions who lack it, curb industry practices such as denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions, and begin to slow the growth of health care nationally.

Now, lawmakers have embarked on a two-step approach that begins with the House approving the Senate-passed measure, despite misgivings on key provisions. That would be followed by both houses quickly passing a second bill that makes numerous changes to the first.

The House Budget Committee took the first step Monday, voting 21-16 for fast-track rules. Two Democrats broke with the largely party-line vote - Allen Boyd of Florida and Chet Edwards of Texas. Both voted against the health care bill last year.

In the Senate, that second bill would come to a vote under rules that deny Republicans the ability to filibuster.

RELATED TOPICS: Barack Obama, Health Care Reform Bill, Raleigh, Filibuster, Public Option, Florida Keys Oil Spill

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Latest Comments
Robin Hood and his Band of Merrymen?

More like Obamahood and his band of Chicago Thugs. Robbing from Peter and giving to Paul.....for Paul's continued support at the polls of course.

Hey ratherbgutless you gonna lie about yourself again today? You would make a heck of a liberal politician I'll give you that......

Note that one of the designees for the money (who actually gets the money from this would be determined by the politicians) sounds suspiciously like "ACORN".

(b) Eligibility- To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), an entity shall be--

(A) a State governmental agency;

(B) a local governmenta retroconsultant

Okay, here we go again with latching on to this ACORN Thing again. Find another example! And who would you suggest get the funding? Robin Hood and his Band of Merrymen?

Do we actually know what they are doing? Do they? Where did you get your info, MSNBC? My understanding is the house is going to pass the Senate version HR 3590 and then "correct" it as another bill that won't need 60 votes in the Senate. But nobody knows what might be in the "correction" bill. retroconsultant

Uh, Yes, It is actually public record to know what they are doing. All it takes is some self initiative to look it up. You want them to mail you a copy instead? The "correction" bill as you want to call it, will take out the "public option" ( yes, the govt run plan) and will also take out those "special deals that have been well publicized) and will take out the abortion clause. Its not that complicated to see.

welfare and intitlement free care must not be passed ,get a job and quit sucking off the working taxpayers lazy leeches! down with pelosi care! street fightin man

Not sure where your getting this information from, but welfare is not included in the health care reform package. Welfare reform was supposedly done by Bush. If you are referring to the Health Care bill there will no longer be freebies. Everyone will have to pay their fair share.

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