Climate Change Hearing Set & Concerns Over Healthcare

Climate Change Hearing Set & Concerns Over Healthcare. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

As the effort to reform healthcare in the U.S. continues - a number of concerns remain. But rural Americans - according to U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack - have a lot to gain if Congress successfully overhauls the existing system.

VILSACK: When you look at what is happening today under the current system, rural Americans whether you focus on the affordability of insurance, the availability of insurance or the quality of healthcare that they get, in all three respects they strike out.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold hearings on the climate bill starting October 27th. Mark-up could come in early November. Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer says the hearings will feature cabinet secretaries and other Obama administration officials. Boxer says - clearly, we're on track to move as quickly as we can. Senators from Midwestern and other manufacturing-intensive states have been reluctant to sign onto the climate bill. They cite concerns over how the new emissions regulations might tilt the balance of trade in manufactured goods toward countries with less restrictive climate rules.

Now here’s today’s Washington Grange Report.

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That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.