Rep. John Shadegg’s 2nd Town Hall
John Shadegg’s 2nd Town Hall onAugust 25, 2009
Rep. John Shadegg - Phoenix Town Hall, Aug 25, 2009
AZ-Rep. John Shadegg held his 2nd of 3 Town Hall meetings last night in Phoenix, Arizona. There was a good turn out, not quite filling the high school auditorium with people from all ages and backgrounds, including some from other districts because their representatives were not holding town hall meetings. Everyone was welcome and encouraged to speak freely, but maintain the respect of others. There were no protestors, not even one picket sign from any point of view. Two state representatives, Carl Seel and Sam Crump, also made an appearance at the meeting.
Unlike Shadegg’s first town hall meeting, many of the attendees seemed to already be familiar with H.R. 3200 as there were few questions directly relating to specifics in the bill. Rep. Shadegg introduced his alternative bill, H.R. 3218, which I have previously covered.
One of the concerns expressed was; “Is H.R. 3200 constitutional?” – that is still questionable. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma has introduced a bill, Enumerated Powers Act (Introduced in Senate) S 1319, which would require Congress to specify the source of authority under the United States Constitution for the enactment of laws. Some Congressmen, including Rep. Shadegg, are asking that question – what authority under the US Constitution allows for the enactment of this bill?
A small number of people expressed their support of a public option, and most of those individuals either had no insurance or a pre-existing condition or chronic illness. They felt the only way for them to get insurance coverage was through a government option. They were not concerned how this bill might affect anyone else, they were just thinking about their own situation. Even though other options were explained to them, they seemed to want what they considered an easy solution in the form of a government option and remained clueless or didn’t comprehend the alternatives. They just didn’t seem to want to take responsibility for their own health care.
There was a concern voiced about the possible involvement of the insurance industry’s role in the creation of the bill, as it expands the restrictions of ERISA. ERISA applies to all group insurance policies and limits the responsibility of the insurance company even if they willfully deny coverage that results in death. The case of Corkran v United Health Care was the case sited, in which the Corkran family lost their baby at birth due to United Health Care’s refusal to authorize treatment prescribed by Mrs. Corkran’s doctor. Through discovery it was found that United Health Care’s doctor agreed with Mrs. Corkran’s doctor, but treatment had still been denied. The Corkran’s could collection nothing for their loss. Did the insurance companies agree to cover pre-existing conditions and chronic illnesses in exchange for this protection? How will ERISA affect your treatment or ability to receive proper treatment?
Discussion and questions took place on the alternative bill, H.R.
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