2-20 NWR Better Health Care

2-20 NWR Better Health Care

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
This is your Northwest report for Monday, February 20, Presidents' Day but we are turning our attention to U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, who provided an update on the committee's health care work at a recent news conference. "I've heard from farmers, and ranchers, and small business people about what's happened to their premiums and how they didn't get to keep their plan, how they didn't get to keep their doctor. We've met with states and we've met with governors across the country over the last couple of weeks, who understand that this is not sustainable," Walden said.  "You're going to see us move forward in the Energy and Commerce Committee looking at reforms. Looking at a better way to provide help to those most in need in our states in the Medicaid population. And to allow states to innovate. Our state of Oregon has had quite a bit of innovation over the years. We have the CCOs in place that have brought better health care outcomes at lower costs.  There are great ideas out there in our states, but right now they have to come back and beg permission from the federal bureaucrats to be able to do anything innovative. We want to give states flexibility and we want to give people better health care. We're going to accomplish both in legislation we'll be marking up in the near future." 

Tomorrow we find out what, if anything, Idaho is doing to support the initiatives of US Rep. Greg Walden.

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