Earl Blumenauer: “one of the most frustrating aspects of the way we run Congress today is an interest in scoring political points as…”

“one of the most frustrating aspects of the way we run Congress today is an interest in scoring political points as opposed to solving problems. Nowhere is that more in evidence than the symbolic political acts surrounding healthcare this week in the House of Representatives. We are in the midst of a healthcare crisis for the uninsured, for small businesses, and for practitioners. There is a complicated, interconnected fabric that provides healthcare in this country that includes insurance companies, HMO's, public agencies, Federal Government programs and the institutions that represent and train medical professionals. Advocacy groups, legal experts and consumers all have legitimate interests and something to say. Sadly, the Republican leadership in the House of Representatives continues to be more interested in scoring political points than solving problems. Simply recycling the same flawed legislation, is clearly far less than our best effort and stands little likelihood of passage to the Senate, where similar legislation continues to languish. These bills would undermine our efforts by insuring only the healthiest and wealthiest, leaving 511,00 uninsured Oregonians and tens of millions of Americans behind. Furthermore, the Association Health Plans proposals would exempt state solvency requirements, leaving the consumers at a significant risk.”