McCaskill holds forum on health-care reform in Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The government is not going to take over the health-care system, and it will not tell the elderly what treatment they can receive, benefit illegal aliens or pay for abortions, Sen. Claire McCaskill said Monday.

The Missouri Democrat spoke to a crowd of more than 500 people at a health-care reform forum in Poplar Bluff.

"There is a lot of misinformation out there," McCaskill said. "I don't mind disagreement, but I just want to make sure we have got the facts."

The roughly one-hour forum was held at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center on the Three Rivers Community College campus. Participants were asked to provide McCaskill's staff with questions before the event, and she answered several by random draw.

Lilly McCollum of Ellsinore, Mo., asked in her submitted question if the government would be allowed to choose people's doctors or ration health care.

"Everything in the bill keeps all of the power with the patient," McCaskill said, adding that insurance companies already ration care. "Nothing in there gives the government the power to make decisions for you."

A crowd member interrupted McCaskill to call out, "Not yet."

This was one of many interruptions throughout the event from audience members who disagreed with McCaskill's positions. Still, the event was not as unruly as some similar forums have been across the nation.

The senator repeatedly asked those present to allow her to answer the questions submitted.

"If everyone shouts, it is not going to help. It is not going to provide any information," she said. "I promise you will have the chance to chew on me before it's over."

Sherry Briscoe asked if reform bills would address situations like that of her daughter, who she said no insurance company in the state would insure because of pre-existing conditions.

"A lot of people are like that," McCaskill said. "What we are trying to do here is tell insurance companies there have got to be rules."

Reform can be accomplished without making government central in what doctors do, she said.

"I'm not opposed to a public option as long as it is one that is limited and curtailed so that the private sector can compete," McCaskill said.

McCaskill used the federal postal system as an example, saying the public had a federal option but could also choose private companies like FedEx and UPS.

One Poplar Bluff resident asked if the proposed health-care reform was more about President Obama and Democrats trying to take power.

"I disagree, but I respect all of your rights to disagree," McCaskill said. "Hopefully, we can try to find a way forward that is reasonable. Clearly we need health-insurance reform."

In response to other questions, McCaskill said several times she has read every page of the Senate bill that has passed committee.

Answering a final question, McCaskill said she would participate in any health-insurance plan passed by the government.

McCaskill said later she thinks residents of Southeast Missouri would be most affected by new rules for insurance companies.

"If they have the nerve to get sick right now with a traumatic illness, insurance companies can say ‘We are not going to cover you,'" she said. "The most important part of the insurance reform is that it makes companies treat people fairly."

Following the event, Jack and Edith Armor of Poplar Bluff said they wished some audience members had shown more respect for the senator.

"I think everyone here had concerns, but regardless, she is a U.S. senator and we need to be decent," Jack Armor said.

He questioned whether McCaskill might be following the party line too closely on this issue.

"I'm not sure anyone understands fully the scope of what is being done," Jack Armor said. "I think the misinformation, in part, is fueled by the rush to get the bill out. But [health care] didn't get broken in 90 days, and I don't think we can fix it in 90 days."

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