Another View: Devil in the lack of details from Democrats

By U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey, M.D.

Across our country, we are witnessing a great debate that will forever change our country’s health care system. What is at stake is relatively simple: Who should make health care decisions — patients and their doctors? Or bureaucrats?

As a physician who has delivered more than 5,200 babies, I am one of the most vocal supporters of health care reform. However, the legislative proposals that my Democratic colleagues are advancing — and that President Barack Obama supports — are the wrong prescription for America.

Throughout August, I have held several town halls across my district, explaining what the Democrat proposal on health care reform actually means. At these meetings, most people are very concerned — and there are many questions. Will I be able to keep the health care that I have today? Will a government bureaucrat come between me and my doctor? Will my parent’s health care suffer as a result of the $500 billion in cuts to Medicare? Will the government have access to my bank account to verify my income? Does “end-of-life” counseling mean I will be denied medical care available to younger and healthier patients?

My Democratic colleagues have repeatedly stated that these questions are unwarranted and point to the language of the bill as proof of their claims. What they don’t tell you is that the decisions that will address these questions are not written in the legislation they hope to pass, but will be made by political appointees behind closed doors. In literally hundreds of instances, congressional Democrats cede important health care reform decisions to these unknown, faceless and unaccountable bureaucrats.

Understandably, Americans are worried about their health care. However, instead of addressing their concerns directly, Democrats have spent considerable time — and taxpayer money — trying to sell their proposal while squashing legitimate concerns. First, the outrage at town halls was “manufactured” and “un-American.” Then, people were asked to report “fishy” e-mails to the White House. Next, Americans got unsolicited spam e-mails from the administration pushing their “truth” about health care reforms.

Health care reform should not need a nationwide spin campaign. Poll after poll shows a large majority of Americans want some type of reform. However, what they don’t want is abundantly clear — talking points and rhetoric that simply mask a government takeover of medicine identical to what exists in Canada and the United Kingdom.

Congress and the president have the responsibility to give the American people a real understanding of what health care reform will look like before a vote is taken to change it forever. Instead of dismissing concerns, I would urge Congress to do its job and give the American people a health reform proposal they can understand — and actually support. It can be done, but it takes real work and bipartisan compromise — not a PR campaign.

U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.) is a member of the U.S. House Health Subcommittee and co-chairs the GOP Doctors Caucus.