Healthcare town hall goes smoothly for state legislators
Last night over 50 people attended a public discussion on healthcare policy reform with Senator Karen Keiser (D-Kent), chair of the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee, and Representative Eileen Cody (D-Burien), chair of the House Health Care & Wellness Committee.
The goal was to discuss the federal healthcare reform bills currently in play and how they would be implemented at the state level.
Unlike town halls hosted by representatives at the federal level, this town hall was far more polite, with fewer outbursts from proponents and opponents.
Senator Keiser said, the current system is in a “death spiral” and we have the option of either letting it go, or fixing it.
As part of a discussion on a public option, Representative Cody said, “Both Senator Keiser and I believe in a public option.” A former nurse for Group Health, the representative later told the crowd she does not believe a Co-op plan will be effective. “I don’t think that [co-ops] will meet the needs as quickly as what we need to do.”
Unlike many federal discussions, there was a fair deal of support for Medicare Advantage plans. “They’re not going to eliminate Medicare Advantage,” said Senator Keiser to a number of cheers.
Lee Marchisio, Governor Chris Gregoire’s Outreach Coordinator, read a statement from the Governor. “[Governor Gregoire] believes we can fix our healthcare system.”
Snohomish County Council Chair Mike Cooper hosted the event, speaking to the crowd first about his recent participation in the healthcare system, as a patient.
After the discussion ended, a gentleman played an unplanned sing-along on his banjo. The chorus of the song was, “Insurance man, we’re gonna fire you… on election day.” Many in the audience joined in by singing and clapping with the song.
Tonight the second healthcare meeting in this series will take place in Bellevue, again with Senator Keiser and Representative Cody.
Temple B’nai Torah
15727 NE 4th St
Bellevue, WA
7-9 pm
Posted by Randy at 11:06 AM 2 comments Links to this post
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