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Titus outlines concerns with health care bill
Published Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009 | 3:40 p.m.
Updated Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009 | 8:09 p.m.
Dina Titus
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U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.) was in Southern Nevada on Wednesday talking health care.
Her first stop was the Boulder City Rotary Club, where she explained why she opposed the first version of a health care bill in the House, answered questions and listened to comments.
Titus said she was speaking to community groups across her District 3 during the congressional summer break — “anywhere that will invite us.” She also addressed health care later in the day during a tour of a community health center in Las Vegas.
“I want to hear opinions,” she told the Boulder City Rotarians, who were meeting at St. Jude’s Ranch for Children. “That’s what we are doing this month, listening before we go back to vote.”
In opening remarks, Titus said that among her concerns about the original health care bill was the double taxation it would end up imposing on small businesses — requiring them to provide insurance they may not be providing and taxing the owners of the businesses as part of a tax increase on those with higher incomes.
She also was concerned that the pharmaceutical companies were not being asked to pay enough, she said.
She explained how the plan in front of Congress would create an exchange that private insurers could join to provide coverage to those who are otherwise uninsured. The public plan would be part of the exchange as well, subject to the same rules, she said.
The concerns she heard at the Boulder City luncheon during a question-and-answer period were similar to what she has been hearing elsewhere from her constituents, she said.
“People who don’t have insurance tell their stories, and then people who like what they have say they don’t want to change,” she said. “They are not new themes, but it helps to hear people’s stories.”
Some of the Rotarians said they learned details about the health plan they didn’t know about before.
“She gave me a good appreciation for how complex health care is,” Boulder City Councilman Duncan McCoy said.
Dr. Larry Smith, who identified himself as a lifelong Republican, said Titus, a Democrat, impressed him.
“What I like is that she operates a little out of the party line to get what’s best for Nevada,” he said. “She thinks outside the entitlement mentality of Washington. She’s earned my respect.”
After leaving Boulder City, Titus toured the Eastern Family Medical & Dental Center, 2212 S. Eastern Ave., marking the celebration of National Health Center Week, which begins Sunday.
The week recognizes the National Association of Community Health Centers' mission to extend care to some of the country's most needy.
Titus was greeted by employees of the health center, including Thomas Chase, CEO of Nevada Health Centers Inc.
The congresswoman met with staffers along the tour, shaking hands and posing for pictures. An employee explained the different rooms and equipment available.
Titus said she came to visit the center because it serves many people who are from her district and complimented its smooth operation.
"And so I just wanted to see for myself what all is being offered," she said.
She said she was impressed the center offered so many services, from prenatal to dental care.
Chase said the center tends to serve people who do not have access to proper health care or the ability to pay for it.
He said the United States has a population of more than 300 million, and about 60 million are uninsured. That means 1 out of every 5 Americans doesn’t have health care, he said.
"Could (health care) be done differently? Absolutely," Chase said. "We just have to recognize as a country that we're already paying for it in terms of insurance premiums, subsidies the state and federal government make from Medicare and Medicaid and in terms of organizations like us who are willing to take care of those people who don't have insurance."
He added: "So what's the right solution? The right solution is to figure out a better way."
In the meantime, Titus said she would continue to work to fight for a better system.
"I'm taking the month of August to learn as much as I can about the issue from all sides, from different kinds of providers and users," Titus said. "And it puts an exclamation point on the end of the sentence that we need health care reform."
Discussion: 28 comments so far…
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I voted for Titus, but sad to say was probably a mistake. She has been a big disappointment. Her ideal of meeting with Boulder City Rotarian's, and ignoring the people that voted for her, tells me she thinks she needs the Republican vote to get reelected. Well at the rate she is going, she is right. I voted specifically for her to get through much needed Heath care reform, she opposed. I also quite frankly expected much more for education, and the environment. Titus has not come through with anything note worthy on this front either. Porter had also turned me off with the negative attack ads, but you know he did listen to the Nevada little people and was approachable. Titus is a hob nobbling you know what kisser. I expect more from my representative then we are getting
Now she gets respect from Republicans?
She will need it the next election-For Obama Democrats won her the seat this time! Dina Titus now needs to Say Yes or Democrats will NEVER FORGET! AS A PERSON WITHOUT ANY INSURANCE I MUST HERE HER SAY an vote ONLY YES! Nothing else!
I guess each day Titus gets to election day then she wants to keep her job.
In one of her first votes, Ms. Taxus voted to raise taxes on the poor and middle class.
Now, she is running kinda scared of this big Obama Care mess.
I guess she wants to keep her job.
Why haven't her upcoming "Town Hall" meetings been publicized. I checked her web site and it says there are no upcoming events planned. How can one find out where she is going to be so people can find out just what she says is in the Health Care bill. This article says she is (or was) going to be at a community center today. What community center?
I am an Independent voter and did not vote for Ms. Titus, but I respect her for utilizing her OWN mind and not always voting party lines like both political parties demand.
I have always had health insurance, even in tough times when we did without in other areas. I am now retired and the deduction for health insurance is the first expenditure that comes out of my retirement check. I want to go to the doctor of MY choice and I DO NOT want some government bureaucrat telling me what kind of treatment I can or can not receive.
Lets fix the health care system not replace it. Getting the attorneys out by instituting tort claim limits would go a long way in lowering costs.
Oh by the way, Ms. Titus does not represent only those who voted for her, she represents EVERYONE in her district.
If she's really going out and asking her constituents what they think and want, I'll give her credit. That seems to be more than most of the Demo's are doing -- regurgitating some bumper sticker slogans and then heading for cover.
And I wouldn't take her willingness to listen as a sign of weakness or kissing up -- maybe she's simply smart enough to figure out that the craziness being pushed in DC, even if it passes, won't last past the 2010/2012 elections. And why waste time & energy on a failure -- especially when real reform is possible.
To LarryVegas
Well that's just great. I cant buy Health Insurance because I have a pre condition. I can never get Heath insurance, unless I go on the "Public Dole" I am glad you have insurance, hoary for you. Now go back and listen to Fox news. I wish I could keep in touch with you, and see how your big insurance treats you when something goes wrong with you. I think Big insurance is going to defeat this health care proposal. Right now there are millions of people like me who cant get insurance, and the list is growing. I have never activity campaigned against any one running for re election, But after being screwed by Titus, I will campaign against her.
Rep Titus has sold out the people who put her in office and it will be remembered next election. She is more concerned with the 1.5% of the richest people in her district than the 137,000 in her district with no insurance. If she cannot live up to what she promised during the campaign this will be her last term in office.
Dina Titus voted against the first bill in committee because it lacked certain things. The bill as it stands now, she supports. This is what I gathered at a meeting I went to earlier this week. She is NOT only interested in rich people! That's ridiculous. She is doing her best to look at all the points in the health reform bill before she commits to it. I was impressed with the way she outlined all of her concerns and what is most important to her. Bottom line -- she wants all Americans covered and wants them protected from bogus insurance practices. The bill is still in play and then we still have the senate and the house versions that will need to be reconciled. This is a difficult, complex task. I hope we can achieve something. The status quo is unacceptable.
LarryVegas you are so self absorbed in your own little world you are a disappointment to anyone with a brain. The insurer you have can change the rules anytime they want and you have no say in the matter.They make the rules and can drop you or cut your coverages at will. Never has it been said the government wants to come between you and your doctor or allow you to not chose your doctor. If you were listening to the facts you can still keep your plan and continue to worry about only your little world. What America needs is someone to come between them and the crooked insurance companies.With the billions of dollars lobbyiests for drug companies,for profit hospitals spend to buy the souls of congress there may never be change to protect all Americans. Competition is the root of capitalism Larry not monoplies like the insurance industry has.
By the way the most money spent by lobbyiests goes to Republicans and blue dog Democrats.
In the end John Porter represented Nevadans better than this unattractive,gravely voiced Republican in Democrats clothing Titus who I sadly to say voted for.
Homer: Well Said!
I wish President Obama would come out and make a strong stand for extending Medicare for All Americans. this is why I abandoned the Republican party and voted Democrat.
Yes it will be tough to stand for your values President Obama, I appreciate that you have compromise in your agenda. But by pandering to the less-educated Fox Channel crowd, you are losing your base who put you into office.
Americans we CAN change this 'Pay or Die' System of health care, do we want it badly enough to go out and protest in front of Senator Ensigns offices?
Sounds like you guys who voted for Ms. Titus were expecting something for free... If someone does not agree with your idea of wanting more Government involvement in your lives, you start personal name calling as homer did in his post. And to cpo who stated that he/she can not obtain health insurance but does not want to go on the "Public Dole." Government programs that you call the "Public Dole" were created for those who need assistance and they are there waiting for you. Instead of applying for assistance, you want the rest of us to give up what we are willing to pay for and you put people down for their beliefs.
By the way, what do you want/expect to see in "health reform?" As for me, I would like to see medical services available for everyone, but not a complete take over by the Federal Government.
lucygirl920
What a crock, are you one of her staff members ! Let me tell I think this article tells it all about Titus.
If I was her I wouldn't post my 'town' meetings anywhere that the health insurance industry flacks can find out about them.
You can't conduct civil discourse with a bunch of paid goons shouting nonsense and stifling debate.
I hope Titus gets educated about this mess and gets onboard with changing the health insurance scam system we have today though.
She won't have Obama's coat tails to ride next election, so she better not alienate democratic voters or the unions.
It seems to me that more and more, the people against health insurance reform are the people who already have insurance. I hope that they never have to use it and find out how lousy every insurance plan is. You pay in all your life, then when you need it, they will deny your coverage. Oldest trick in the insurance scam business.
The healthcare industry needs reform, but not at the expense of the taxpayer. Titus knows this, and doesn't want to raise taxes to pay for uninsured people who can afford to buy it.
For LarryVegas, I got news for you Taxpayers are already paying over 30% of the Health care plans now in use, and I bet you are on one of them. Take that line back to Fixed News.
How angry the supporters of Obama sound. I was married to someone with a pre-existing condition and changes do need to be made to our private health care system to ensure that people with pre-existing conditions can purchase health insurance without going bankrupt. However more than 80% of people with insurance are happy with their coverage and over 74% are happy with their carrier. Let's help everyone have access to insurance without corrupting the great private system that we have. And Obama supporters, please get the chip off of your shoulders. Didn't anyone ever tell you that the world doesn't owe you something? Grow up.
I too looked at her website and saw no "Congress on the Corner" meetings. Looks like she is taking the easy way around the angry mob. Typical.
I will never forget CAP AND TAX. Do you people realize how much money this will cost the average consumer. She voted with the far far left of the party. Waxman and Markey cut deals with these so called blue dog Democrats at the last minute with campaign cash and got them to change. This thing passed ONLY by four votes and over 40 Democrats voted AGAINST it. Dina Titus will always in the end vote with the party. She needs the money for re-election. Dina Titus is a freshman congresswoman. She's not going to buck the Obama system.
I saw this shocking news article that needs to be shared: Business Week: the health insurers have already won!
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/con...
This news article is a game changer in the debate over health reform, please read it and pass it on to as many people as you can.
***********************
It's time to end our "risky experiment" of "maybe health insurance". What's proven is 'maybe they'll pay', but more likely they won't. It's a proven failure.
Support HR676. It's a Single Payer system that is proven, pro-business and pro-people:
* Slashes at least 30% of costs off the top by removing private insurance overhead.
* Companies take health care expenses off their books. Stock value increases. Better able to compete internationally.
* Small companies could have access to higher skilled workers because previously they couldn't compete in the labor market by offering similar benefits.
* More entrepreneurial ventures will launch since they have more money and less unrelated risk.
* Dramatic drop in bankruptcies.
* Dramatic drop in lawsuits. Most of these lawsuits are simply to obtain money to cover health care if something interrupts their coverage.
* Reduced system complexity. Greater efficiency due to fewer regulations.
* Savings from employees not having to fight with their insurers during work hours.
* HSA and MSA dollars redirected back into the economy for goods and services.
* Additional money to spend from not having to carry "uninsured motorist coverage" on your auto policy.
* Contract employment is more viable for workers since they are guaranteed access to health care.
* People are covered when unemployed. No chance of being wiped out financially if you lose your job.
* Health care providers (doctors, hospitals, therapists) see increase in business with much less administrative expense.
Kristenkadams
Your the one that needs to grow up. No one is asking for a handout, only the right to Health care. Your so called facts are skewered, where did you get those from Rush
I just contacted her office. Her staff informed my that there are NO town hall meetings planned for the August recess.
It is unbelievable to me that, given all the important issues to be addressed by Congress in the next several months, that she has not scheduled any open forums for her constituents to express their concerns.
Please contact her office and request a town hall meeting.
The phone number for her office is (702) 387-4941.
Hey cpo,
As usual, you are full of it and won't let the truth get in the way of your biases.
And you wonder why so many people are questioning the proposed health bill with people like you pushing it..
I am completely against the government involvement in creating/administering a new bureaucracy (aka insurance company) in the name of healthcare reform. This legislation is a gross invasion into the personal and private matters of an individual. Government has no right to intrude into the health decisions made by individuals and their doctors, stay out of my healthcare!
There are many alternatives to healthcare reform to cover the 15 to 20 million uninsured American citizens (review the facts). Just a couple options are tort reform, portable insurance which would enable individuals to cross state lines, a voucher system which would give Healthcare choice to individuals to shop for their own healthcare. Put the power of choice in the people hands not in government.
I don't care for Titus either, but the way the Republican right has disrupted these meetings, I wouldn't have one either. AS for Andy and Larryvegas, this is a fact not blind rhetoric, The government all ready administers close to 35% of the populations health care now. So to say you don't want government health care, when you are most likely on it, (I noticed how Larry Vegas dodged the question,) really undermines your core argument. People that don't research the issues and spew rhetoric based on rumor and in undo never cease to amaze me. I never will forget one of my former employees telling me in 2000 why he voted for Bush, when things were going so well under the Clinton administration. He said, "I just think we need a change" and then mentioned several non issues pushed by radio talk show hosts.. Well he got his change, and I reminded him of the fact when I had to lay him off. If you have true private insurance, remember this when it gets defeated, when they up your bill or cut back your coverage or worse yet cancel it. How you vote and the political arguments you weave, especially when you blindly throw false facts could come back and bite you in the rear side.
If an illegal alien gets his Saturday night bar fight cuts and stabbing wounds fixed at the UMC ER, he's on a government healthcare plan. He's one in the 35% population base that "cpo" alludes to.
afvetern That is correct, along with all the White Trash that spends all their money on Meth.
Another reason to back the Metro PD's policy of processing illegal aliens for deportation once they enter the detention center on miscellaneous charges.
Larry Vegas is typical. He wants a choice but wants to deny the rest of us a choice. I want a goverment option.
Titus is no good.