A big story today concerned ethics investigations into Heath Shuler’s alleged use of his power to obtain a special deal on TVA property. I only care because I’m tying my brain in pretzels trying to figure out why Republicans want to give Speaker Pelosi power by creating public will in support of furthering investigations of one of the few Democrats who voted against the greatest sellout of American liberties proposed thus far. The day of the vote, allegations flew that Pelosi had held up investigations in exchange for votes in favor of establishing an un-Constitutional medical division (to go along with the finance and automotive divisions) in the federal government. Perhaps I should just go along with the flock trusting the political masterminds see further than I ever will. However, until somebody stoops to explain the logic to me, I will have to follow the little bit of reason allotted to me. It seems the best use of political time now would be to educate Shuler about HSA’s, tort reform, interstate competition, availing different levels of service, allowing people to build their own plans, repealing special legislation supporting oligopolies in the insurance and pharmaceutical industries, and maybe even dangers inherent in too much power in one place.

Since readers of this blog seem to enjoy play-by-plays from Congressman Heath Shuler, here’s an excerpt from the form letter he emails to people who submit comments to him on healthcare reform.

While there is no question that our health care system is broken, I voted against H.R. 3962 primarily because it fails to control the inefficiencies in health care that could be used to create substantial savings to drive down the bill’s overall cost. This $1.055 trillion legislation does not remedy the problems of waste, fraud, and abuse that permeate our current health care system. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, this bill will not reduce the federal government’s spending on health care over the long term. It is imperative that this legislation be fiscally responsible and work to substantially reduce the cost of health care in this country, not facilitate more spending and contribute to our mounting national debt. Adding millions of people to a broken system is not an acceptable solution.

With national unemployment topping 10 percent nationwide, now is not the time to raise federal taxes and impose new and costly mandates on state governments, which would likely require states to raise taxes on working families. I believe we should be focused on our economy and creating jobs, not growing the size of the federal government with new mandates. Furthermore, we must put a stop to the out of control spending in Washington and begin reducing our skyrocketing national debt. Our current path is unsustainable, and if health care reform does not bend the overall cost curve and decrease our deficit, we are simply passing on higher costs to our children and grandchildren.

Although I voted against H.R. 3962, I truly do recognize our nation’s need for real health care reform. There were many provisions in H.R. 3962 that I support. Insurance companies must provide insurance for individuals with pre-existing conditions, and must be prohibited from dropping individuals’ coverage when they become sick. I also support expanding coverage to the uninsured and increasing competition among insurance companies. I support a provision in the bill that repeals an anti-trust loophole that currently allows insurance companies to artificially drive up the price of coverage. That being said, we need reform that rewards quality outcomes and moves us away from the fee-for-service system that rewards the quantity of service. Health care reform must reward healthy lifestyles that would prevent excessive procedures and increased spending.

Health care reform is now being debated in the Senate. Upon passage of a Senate bill, the House and Senate will meet in a conference committee to finalize a bill. As Congress continues to discuss this very important issue, I pledge to continue my commitment to finding effective and fiscally responsible solutions to reform our current health care system. While I did not support H.R. 3962, I pledge to continue to work to improve health care reform legislation rather than to act as a roadblock to prevent any meaningful reform. Passing health care reform legislation is a moral obligation and fiscal necessity, and as Congress continues to discuss health care, I will continue to work with my colleagues to address the rising cost of health care.