These comments from Rep. Shuler were paraphrased by Leslee, and several stood out (they’re now being paraphrased by me). In no particular order:
1) One congressman and his staff wrote H.R. 3200.
2) Medicare and Medicaid are working pretty well, but (he said later) they’ll both go broke in six to eight years.
3) Health care reform won’t increase the deficit because Congress passed pay-go rules. Any higher costs will have to be taken care of by consumers and taxpayers.
4) The provision requiring IRS data to be shared with federal and state health care officials (ensuring that people either buy health insurance or apply for subsidized care) is nothing new and nothing to worry about.
5) Individuals should be forced to purchase health insurance, so long as the government provides disease control management and wellness programs.
6) Congressmen have integrity. That’s why they’re elected.
Again, you can listen to the entire town hall here.
