Health care debate in Atlanta a preview of upcoming battle

The prospect of a new government health insurance plan highlighted a debate on health care reform in Atlanta on Wednesday, in which four political heavyweights offered a preview of the debate expected on Capitol Hill.

The discussion — held at the Georgia World Congress Center as part of a biotech conference — featured Karl Rove, former chief adviser to President George W. Bush; Howard Dean, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee; Republican Bill Frist, former U.S. Senate majority leader; and Democrat Tom Daschle, also a former Senate majority leader.

» Karl Rove — Rove attacked the prospect of a government-offered public health insurance plan, saying, “A public plan is a government-run plan. And a government-run plan is bad.”

Citing a poll, he also said many people are happy with their health coverage, and don’t want to see any new plan hurt that coverage.

» Howard Dean — Dean favored a public health insurance plan, though stressed he did not want to do away with the private sector.

“We need a public health insurance option to give people a choice,” he said.

» Bill Frist — Frist talked about the costs of implementing a government health insurance program, saying, “Your taxes are going to go up.”

Frist also expressed concerns that a government health care plan would stifle innovation and competition.

» Tom Daschle — He said the American people want to see Congress “get something done” regarding health care. “And they are very concerned about the implications if we do nothing.”

He said the public health care plan would address a major issue of Americans: The need to lower health care costs.