Fimian Townhall Meeting

Tonight, I attended Keith Fimian’s townhall meeting on health care. Since I arrived a little later than I intended (thanks to traffic on I-66), Fimian’s townhall meeting filled almost the entire auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center. Fimian’s meeting had a completely different theme compared to many townhall meetings. Since our Congressman Gerry Connolly did not want to face the public (other than those in gated retirement communities), Fimian wanted to inform everyone about what is included in this legislation by having three panelists, who are experts in health care.

Panelist #1 was Grace-Marie Turner of the Galen Institute, Panelist #2 was Jim Capretta of the Ethics & Policy Center, and Panelist #3 was Tom Miller of the American Enterprise Institute. Each panelist had the opportunity to deliver opening remarks. Most of the opening remarks centered around how the long-term costs from this health care plan. Basically, the proposed health care reform legislation will expand Medicaid to 133% of the poverty level and will cost the government $400 Billion over the course of a decade. The premium discount program would subsidize the insurance program, which would bring $1.2 Trillion in new spending, and this would result in tax increases. The taxpayers would be paying $500 Billion in taxes.

After the opening remarks, Fimian called people up for questions according to numbers. Below are some selected questions to the panelists:

Q:

Would the government have access to our tax records? Is this a fact or myth?

Panelist #3: This is partly true, as there is a provision in the House legislation that allows for the government to have access to your tax records.

Q:

How will FOCA (Freedom of Choice Act) be enacted in the health care legislation?

Panelist #1 explains FOCA, but mentions that Obama has pledged not to pursue it at first in his health care plan. Panelist #2 chimed in by saying that the House plan will include provisions that were introduced by Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) that will cover abortion.

Q:

The man who asked this question has a brother, who has diabetes. His brother received an insulin pump a few years ago. He asked, “Would this pump have been invented and who would be eligible under Obama’s plan?”

Panelist #1 said that America rewards innovation. Under the Obama Administration, there would be a Comparative Effectiveness Council that will determine what treatments will be covered. Panelist #2 chimed in by saying that Americans want a health care system responsive to health challenges.

Overall, the meeting clarified some of Obama’s health care plan. Keith Fimian should be commended for holding a townhall meeting that was geared to inform from a free market perspective and was open to all within the 11^th District.