Reps. Langevin, Shays Promote Bipartisan Health Care Reform Bill
Reps. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.) and Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) have begun to "position themselves for a major debate on health care reform in 2009 by laying down a marker this year," The Hill reports.
Langevin and Shays support legislation, which Langevin first introduced in 2004, that would provide U.S. residents with access to the same level of health insurance as members of Congress. The bill would allow residents to purchase private health insurance through a federally managed system, which Langevin said he hopes would replace the employer-sponsored health insurance system over time. Under the legislation, residents would have to obtain health insurance, and employers would have to help cover the cost. The bill also would require hospitals to pay a new tax based on the assumption that they will have to treat fewer patients without health insurance who cannot pay their bills.
According to The Hill, the two "rank-and-file lawmakers face long odds in getting their bill noticed," as they do not serve on committees with jurisdiction over health care and are not "part of their parties' leadership structures."
Shays said, "How can we be players so that we are in the mix in this debate?" adding, "We start here to get people to pay attention." Langevin said, "Whether it's now or after the election, the time has got to come" for health care reform, adding, "The American people are going to demand it. ... The simple fact of the matter is: It has got to get fixed at some point." Shays said that health care reform likely will take a "four-to-six-year effort" (Young, The Hill, 5/13).
