Markey urged to vote against health-care bill

We’d like to be supportive of the House version of health-care reform legislation, but its size, scope and focus remain problematic.

It’s difficult to point out that omissions remain in a 1,900-page piece of legislation, but they do. The focus appears to be so trained on the uninsured that those who are currently insured might be placed at risk when it comes to costs and access.

Rep. Betsy Markey of Fort Collins is strongly urged to vote against this proposal, which might come to a vote Saturday in the House, because of the following concerns:

 Funding for this massive bill is strongly predicated on cuts to Medicare, but there doesn’t appear to be political will to support such cuts.

The legislation would allow more people to enroll in Medicaid. But here in Fort Collins, for example, it is already difficult to find Medicaid providers. Increasing Medicaid enrollment without laying the groundwork for access is wrong headed.

Where is the support for wellness programs and health care approaches that are cost effective? Poudre Valley Health System, for example, is the 2008 recipient of the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality award for excellence because of its innovation and high level of quality health care. The House bill does not include support for such programs and organizations that are keeping costs in check and broadening access, and in fact, the legislation could be prohibitive toward effective approaches. Programs that keep people healthy are not adequately compensated in the House bill.

Just a day before an expected House vote on the legislation, lawmakers were still unclear on two key issues: how abortions would be handled under a federal health plan; and if illegal immigrants could opt in to a federal public health option by paying for it themselves. How can the legislative body that will not address the problem of illegal immigrants decide how to handle their health care? These are two key issues that must be publicly vetted rather than privately negotiated hours before such a key vote.

As noted in a previous editorial, health-care reform is needed. But trying to fold in health-care reform’s complicated issues into an omnibus plan is a ticket to disaster. The House bill fails to support positive outcomes and efficiencies. That should be the first step toward reform.

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