Politics Up Close: Health Reform Advocates
11.06.2009 by Jeff Robinson
(KCPW News) For reaction to our interview with Rep. Matheson on health reform, we were joined in the studio by some of the people trying to get the attention of politicians like him. Judi Hilman is executive director of the Utah Health Policy Project, Rob Ence is Utah State Director of the AARP, which just endorsed the legislation, and Terry Gardiner is National Policy Director for Small Business Majority, a healthcare advocacy group for American small businesses.
Ms. Gardiner referred to a poll showing MOST Utahns support healthcare reform. To infer that result concludes that MOST Utahns are in support of the current House Bill is ludicrous, and disingenuous. If I had been asked if I am in favor of healthcare reform, I too would have said adamantly yes. But I am vehemently opposed to the current bill put out by Pelosi. Ms. Gardiner needs to be honest with your audience. The 2000+ page bill is a reeking monster that will do nothing to control costs, and does not even live up to the standard of coverage/access for all. Matheson is right to vote no, and the Democrat majority should be listening to the many Americans speaking up and the Democrats should be starting over and including tort reform along with expanded coverage.