news-record.com

HEALTH

Hagan, in Greensboro, talks about health care

Article
Comments (21)
Images

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

(Updated Thursday, August 13 - 5:41 am)

By Jennifer Fernandez
Staff Writer

GREENSBORO — A handful of supporters, protesters and curious showed up at HealthServe today thinking U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan would be discussing health care in a public forum.

But Hagan, a Greensboro Democrat who helped craft one of the versions of health care reform still being debated in a Senate committee, spoke only to the media after a short tour of the clinic on South Eugene Street. Hagan's visit was never billed as a public event, but some folks showed up anyway.

Lisa France, 51, of Charlotte and Curtis Whittlesey, 86, of Greensboro wondered if Hagan would hold a town hall meeting.

Staff members said the senator is considering holding a town hall meeting but has made no definite plans. During the news conference, Hagan told media she is meeting with constituents as she travels the state when asked if she planned to have a town hall meeting.

Whittlesey said Hagan’s meetings are with health officials, like Wednesday’s tour of HealthServe. What about the regular people, the voters, he said.

“I think it’s our biggest concern with her,” Whittlesey said.

France stood outside in the rain holding a sign encouraging Hagan to not be “Obama’s puppet.”

“I thought it was important that she knows that people are not agreeing with her,” France said.

She shared the sidewalk with Ruth Mary Weston, 55, of Greensboro. Weston carried a sign reading “mutual respect” and came to support Hagan’s stance on health care.

The two women said they discussed health care amicably despite their opposing views.

“I believe we can have a discussion without calling names,” France said.

Accompanying Photos

Jerry Wolford (News & Record)

Photo Caption: U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan talks with HealthServe Community Health Clinic medical director Dr. David Talbot on Wednesday.

Additional Photos

Comments

View Comments

This article has been closed to new comments. Comments are generally closed after 14 days. However, comments may be closed earlier at the discretion of the News & Record.

Inappropriate content? Please report abuse.

connieohyeah

August 12, 2009 - 2:42 pm EDT

Hagan sure is being sneaky with her scheduling. Her appearance in Greensboro today was announced on her website late in the afternoon yesterday, and her Greensboro office staff are reluctant to answer questions regarding her schedule, public appearances, and plans for Town Halls.

Hagan is tip-toeing around her constituents, visiting only friendly facilities and offices where she will hear what she wants. That's why she's not having an open forum, so she doesn't have to face the opposition head on.

Good Informational Sources:

http://www.kff.org

http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=articl...

Billy

August 12, 2009 - 3:09 pm EDT

I somewhat agree, best to stay in the safe zone. But if for one moment anyone thinks that the insurance industry, hospital industry, AMA or any other group is going to help reduce costs without some type of legislation I've still got land in Florida for sale. Too many lobbyists, too much greed, etc. Would you have thought 15 - 20 years ago that your health insurance would be more than your house payment? It's no longer upper class, middle class and lower class in this country anymore, it's the haves and have nots.

connieohyeah

August 12, 2009 - 3:31 pm EDT

If for one moment anyone thinks that current legislation has had nothing to do with the rising costs of (well, everything) health care, then I've also still got land in Florida for sale.

Why can't insurance companies compete across state lines? Why does the current tax code only subsidize employer sponsored private health insurance? Why does it subsidize it at all? Why are we letting inflation throw us all under the bus? Where is the tort reform?

If this legislation passes requiring insurance companies to sell insurance at any time to any one, then private health insurance and health costs together are going to sky rocket. People will only buy health insurance when they need it - meaning there is no balance in risk groups, subsequently raising the premiums for everyone.

But I think that's the point. Let's put all these ridiculous laws in place in order to drive private health insurance out of business (what was that about creating jobs?), so with no private choices (no freedom) the people are now violently coerced into accepting ObamaCare.

The simple answer is for the federal government to remove all of the operating costs it is forcing on health insurers and other businesses alike. But we'll never hear that from Obama and his Democrats, because they think they're the answers to all the world's problems - which is precisely the problem. Just stay out, you're making it worse.

connieohyeah

August 12, 2009 - 3:37 pm EDT

There's one clear answer for solving the problem of big money lobbyists and special interest groups.

Take away the money they are trying to get.

If the federal government didn't have the tax revenue it did, there would be no money for these people to fight over. That would stop corruption, right? If there's no money, there's no corruption.

Nah, I think I'll vote Democrat so I can give more money away for the fools in Washington to have fun with.

Actually, come to think of it, it wouldn't matter if they had tax revenues or not, they'd just print the money OUT OF NOWHERE and hand it out to people to go car shopping with!

gboro84

August 12, 2009 - 4:37 pm EDT

No connie, you are just rich and white and an un-American nazi who hates black people. You just hate poor people and want them to die.

Brekka

August 12, 2009 - 5:00 pm EDT

I'm not sure I followed either comment. Both the house healthcare bill and the senate bill (which I have read) makes sure we all will eventually will be forced into a single payer system (i.e. government run health care). This is pure socialism. This has nothing to do with racism. This is Waxman, Pelosi, Hoyer and Reid's bills. Granted Hagan has a hand in this. However, the main people are the those mentioned above. The bills do say health care will be determined by a healthcare commissioner based on statistics - NOT ON INDIVIDUAL NEEDS -. You will be required to pay premiums set up the government. Which is authorized within the bill through the IRS to debt your account or asses tax penalties if you decide not to participate in the government health care run system up to 6-8%. Those of us who oppose this bill - oppose it because it takes away our liberties. Go to www.heritage.com You will be able to find the senate versions and the HR3200 1017 page version and read it for yourself. By the way, Senator Kay Hagan office has given me a lot of misinformation about both versions of the bill. That is why I read them for myself. I'm not rich. Nazi is German socialist. I'm not a German socialist. This healthcare package is American Socialism. I'm against American Socialism. This will not help the poor people. Your healthcare will be rationed just as much if not more than the rich because the rich will be able to buy the healthcare somewhere else. This doesn't have anything to do with color of skin. I believe it was the democratic party who hired union workers to beat up an African american who was against the healthcare bill (I think that was in Florida). I'm not Un-American. It is definitely American to protest; you need to go back and re-read your American history books. In North Carolina alone, there were a group of thugs known as the red shirts, who beat up and protested against any African American or conservative going to the polls. I encourage you to read the healthcare bills.

Billy

August 12, 2009 - 4:52 pm EDT

Connie

Take a good look at what just happened to our banking system with no one guarding the hen house. Unfortunately, our government is running on the same principals, no one watching the hen house. No one can tell me that if everything is left unregulated everything will fall into place. BULL, do you want to see the land in Florida?

Yoda

August 12, 2009 - 5:26 pm EDT

Lets just face the truth here, the give away programs are created for the blacks, as is the health care.There was slavery, then they wouldn't let the blacks get a proper education. thus they couldn't get jobs. Whites wanted to keep the blacks for all the wrong reasons. Treated them like dirt. To take a phase from Jeremiah Wright, "Them Chickens done come home to roost"

weatherwithyou33

August 12, 2009 - 5:38 pm EDT

While I'm not a fan of Obamacare (nor am I a Liberal or a Democrat or Republican) the GOP plan isn't much better. While the Republican plan keeps the government out the healthcare decisions, it doesn't keep the insurance company out of that decision. If I pay into a private medical insurance program I should get the coverage I am entitled to without the insurance company doing everything in its power to screw me into the cheapest option available. The same goes for a government sponsored program. My doctor and I should have the final say no matter what. Somehow the Republicans seem okay with this concept.

Opening up the state borders and deregulating insurance companies will only give them more power and won't do anything to insure the poor or uninsurable. We as tax payers, private insurance payers and hospital consumers will continue to pay for these people one way or another. I would rather give them the option of preventive healthcare rather than reactive (this is always more expensive). Unfortunately we spent the last 8 years spending $1 trillion on an unnecessary war when we could have been discussing healthcare reform before it became critical and had a few extra dollars to help pay for our own citizens. It doesn't matter what party “wins” no one will ever be happy with their final choice but so far Obama is the only one willing to step up to the plate.

Can someone explain to me how the Republican plan gets healthcare for the poor or the “uninsurable”?

liberaldemocrat

August 12, 2009 - 8:29 pm EDT

Thank you for making sense. People go so off the deep end on these comments.

Beachwalk

August 13, 2009 - 9:21 am EDT

"nor am I a Liberal or a Democrat or Republican".

You also say "Unfortunately we spent the last 8 years spending $1 trillion on an unnecessary war ".

Sorry, you just exposed yourself as a libturd.

rmacz

August 12, 2009 - 5:43 pm EDT

I would like to know where Hagan stands on Obama Care. She was not mentioned with Obama in Raleigh or Geensboro. She is still considered a Blue Dog.

ravencottage

August 12, 2009 - 5:50 pm EDT

You got the dog part right anyway.

Brekka

August 12, 2009 - 6:09 pm EDT

I have called Senator Hagan's office many times. Senator Hagan supports the expansion of the executive powers to include the appointment of the Health Care Commissioner that would regulate the healthcare bill. This Healthcare Commissioner would be an appointment that would not need to be approved by Congress and therefore a true expansion of executive powers. This commissioner is the person who determines the committee who will determine the benefits that you will or will not receive. Incidentally, all illegal aliens receive more healthcare benefits than American citizens do in HR3200. The Commissioner is only responsible to the president and there is NO APPEALS process. The physicians salaries are set by the Pay Czar and the Health Care Commissioner. I'm telling you all - READ THESE BILLS.

Beachwalk

August 13, 2009 - 9:23 am EDT

Hagan was NEVER considered a Blue Dog. She has taken her place at the right hand of the little messiah.

jeffreyhsykes

August 12, 2009 - 5:52 pm EDT

Hagan needs to hear from all North Carolinians, including the ones who will gather at her office in Raleigh at 330pm on Friday to demonstrate against the Democrat's health care reform bill.

Wouldn't it be great if thousands of North Carolinians took the afternoon off and took their families to make their voice heard in Raleigh?

http://jeffreysykes.wordpress.com/2009/08/12/speak-out-to-kay-hagan-on-f...

ejnichol

August 12, 2009 - 7:37 pm EDT

Kay, How about passing legislation that;

Increases the supply of health care providers and facilities(supply and demand),

Puts a cap on medical malpractice lawsuits.(tort reform),

Encourages direct cash payments by patients to health care providers(insurance is often bought to get the negotiated rate discount). Promotes efficiency and less reliance on needing insurance. Many healthy people don't need insurace except for catestrophic ie high deductable.

Tune up our existing system, We have too much ineffective gov't as it is. Our state and country is so screwed.

Did you see the bills passed in NC legislature. Increased sales tax(22%), increase income tax, increased homeowners insurance premiums(10 %). We are now all state homeowners on the hook for coastal storm damage thanks to our beach property owning legislaters. NO meaningful reduction in state expences. NC now has fourth highest tax burden in nation.

william1944

August 12, 2009 - 7:09 pm EDT

How many of you who posted here are receiving Social Security benefits or are enrolled in Medicare?
If you are receiving Social Security payments or are enrolled in Medicare then you are a practicing Socialist!
Now don't run over each other when you decide to give up your Social Security benefits or your Medicare coverage,
because its "Socialist"!

Retired-in-NC

August 12, 2009 - 9:10 pm EDT

Nicely scripted comment. I've heard that several times by Democratic representatives in their town hall meetings. Let's ask our President and elected representatives if they are voting to include themselves in this wonderful coverage, forsaking their "special" insurance coverage. I paid into Medicare and social security. I won't see social security since I'm a federal retiree. These programs are about to crash due to demand. When the government money runs out for these and health care, we're all going to be without coverage.

william1944

August 12, 2009 - 10:32 pm EDT

You don't think any politician who wants to get re-elected is going to let Social Security go Broke?
They "invent" funds for anything dear to them, so I wouldn't worry too much about Social Security going broke.
Its just another scare tactic from those who want to make more profit off Social Security/Medicare recipients.
Why would the politicians want to give up their privileged health plan? Would you?
Oh, BTW. I think the plan(s) the Congress is brewing up has nothing to do with health care reform and none of the gibberish they have come up with so far will pass. Not to worry about "Socialism"

edward0275

August 12, 2009 - 10:01 pm EDT

Let's go to Raleigh Friday afternoon, but she will not be there to greet us. Why? Because this is not about what we taxpayers want OUR elected officials to do, it's about what THEY can do to finally make the Federal government control all aspects of our lives. Then, they will have Permanent Power, and can ignore us completely (as if they are not already doing so). I'm telling you she wants no public forum, no public contact until they see if they can pull this farce off in back room meetings! Please be in Raleigh Friday - and bring a big sign that says "Where R U K?".