The INDsider -> Nathan Stubbs TUE, SEP 8 10:24AM by Nathan Stubbs

Boustany to give GOP response to Obama's health care speech

Like Gov. Bobby Jindal before him, Congressman Charles Boustany has the honor (or the task, depending on how you look at it) of offering the Republican response to President Barack Obama's prime time address to a joint session of Congress Wednesday. Boustany, a retired cardiovascular surgeon, will surely draw on his personal experience as a doctor in rebutting some of the president's proposals for a health care system overhaul.  He'll also have the advantage of using Jindal's speech, and the widespread criticism that followed, as a road map for avoiding any major pitfalls. This morning, Boustany released the following statement:

As a doctor, I know we must lower costs and improve care, which we can accomplish by focusing on strengthening the doctor-patient relationship and working in a bipartisan way. Health care is a kitchen table issue that affects all Americans, and I believe we need an honest discussion about how we come together to fix what’s broken, while building on what works. That’s why I’m pleased the President will speak to Congress tomorrow night, and I look forward to presenting commonsense reforms that Republicans and all Americans can stand behind.

This statement comes form House Minority Leader John Boehner:

Dr. Boustany has been a tireless advocate for reform that lowers health care costs and expands access for the American people at a price our nation can afford. He understands why a Washington bureaucrat – as Democrats have proposed – should never get between a doctor and his patient. I’m pleased Charles has agreed to speak to the American people about a Republican vision for reform and the need for both parties to come together to craft a responsible proposal at a time when people across the country are focused on jobs.


Comments (17)add
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written by ex_ag , September 08, 2009 - 06:08 pm
Okay, the Republicans KNOW they need to appeal to people outside their Southern base, right? How does a white, Southern, and male Republican help them do that?
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written by LA Taxpayer , September 08, 2009 - 06:45 pm
Because that Republican made his living as a heart surgeon. Therefore, unlike President Obama and Nancy Pelosi, he actually knows a few things about health care.
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written by Theo , September 08, 2009 - 06:52 pm
Just because you are a doctor doesn't mean you know anything about health care or health care reform. It's like saying a mechanic is an expert at car insurance policy...
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written by Jason , September 08, 2009 - 07:31 pm
"written by Theo , September 08, 2009
Just because you are a doctor doesn't mean you know anything about health care or health care reform. It's like saying a mechanic is an expert at car insurance policy..."

A mechanic probably knows more than a doctor when it comes to auto insurance policy. And vice versa with health care. My question, being a politician makes you an expert of what excatly?
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written by blf , September 08, 2009 - 08:12 pm
"Health care is a kitchen table issue that affects all Americans, and I believe we need an honest discussion about how we come together to fix what’s broken, while building on what works."

He's such a "team player". He follows the little conservative playbook to the letter.

1) Condemn reform

2) Sympathize with "the people" and pontificate about "working together to solve the problem".

3) Do nothing to fix it

4) Collect payment
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written by Solutions? , September 08, 2009 - 09:43 pm
I don't think anyone is condemning reform. I think that the right has loudly said tort reform is the answer. Reforming the laws will decrease the minimum costs of a doctor visit exponentially. If you look at a country like France, who has one of the cheapest health care systems, you will see that even the French do it without a public option.

Theo, a doctor does know a hell of a lot more about the insurance system than you are making everyone to believe. That system is how most doctors get paid, so please stop assuming. When you assume you make and "as" out of "su" and "me."

Blf, most people know that stereotyping is usually wrong and misleading.

Ex_ag, your comments are seperative and in part, racist. When you point out racial differences, you do nothing to fix the problem.
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written by Phil , September 08, 2009 - 10:29 pm
Ex_ag, since when did it become a crime to be a southern, white, male, Republican? Having years of experience as a doctor might appeal to voters who care about more than your tired racist over-worn stereotypes.
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written by Theo , September 08, 2009 - 10:45 pm
Neither doctors nor mechanics have any particular specialty in either medical or auto insurance policy.

A doctor is no more qualified than any other politician to speak about health care reform.

In fact, doctors are often part of the problem. Moreover, they may be likely to be biased because they may--rightly or wrongly--believe that health insurance reform will effect their wages.

Only sick societies idolize doctors to the extent that we do. I like doctors, don't get me wrong, but I just don't think doctors should be given the benefit of the doubt here. We should be thinking about sick, poor people who need help...not rich doctors.

Auto insurance is how mechanics get paid too, but that just does not make a mechanic an expert on health insurance reforms...

And, Solutions?, I'm not sure where you get your information, but France is not a "who." Also, France does, of course, have a "public option." They actually have universal coverage and government-provided insurance for people who cannot afford private insurance.

Yes, that's right, they have a government-run health care system that caters to all citizens. Check it out yourself if you don't believe me.

I'm sorry, but it's hard to stomach the right wing arguments when there seems to be no motivation to do a bit of research and learn the basic points of what you're trying to argue about.

If you actually want to learn about France's government-run (horrors!) health care system, here's a link or two below.

It's not perfect, certainly, but it is less costly and it covers everyone:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/9994.php

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=4647483&page=1

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written by ex_ag , September 08, 2009 - 10:54 pm
Solutions, my "comment" was an observation of fact. That observation is that the Republican party is falling back on an ever-shrinking base. Following the implosions of both Palin and Jindal in the national spotlight, they've returned to the same old choices instead of looking for other voices.

As much as you might like it to be otherwise, facts can't be racist.
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written by northsidian , September 09, 2009 - 01:10 am
I want the same insurance federal employees have. And I want to know why we can't have it as an option? After all, we pay the employees salary so why can't we have what the people who work for us have!!
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written by Myrick6 , September 09, 2009 - 03:09 am
All Doctor Boustany knows is that HIS family can afford it and HE'S got it guaranteed for the rest of his natural days. He absolutely has NO idea what the "working Joe" has to go through or what old people and poor people have to go through, and he never will. He'll never share those experiences. To give the impression that he does is misleading at best and dishonest at worst.
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written by Myrick6 , September 09, 2009 - 12:52 pm
I don't think Dr. Boustany is qualified to comment on health care in the respect it will never be an issue for him. He's wealthy and his service in politics will ensure he's going to be protected by the government medical programs. I agree with the above: send me the menu of medical programs the federal employees get to choose from, offer me what congressmen and senators are offered, and I'll be satisfied with that ! I believe Dr. Boustany's privileges have him absolutely out of touch with the problems of "Joe Citizen".
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written by JP , September 09, 2009 - 03:40 pm
I'd like it if Dr. Boustany could provide some reasonable input on the health care discussion. If he simply utters the talking points spewed ad nauseum by Republican leaders and Fox News, then I'll be really disappointed.
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written by Jason , September 09, 2009 - 07:25 pm
Myrick6, you are correct. We should lambast Dr. Boustanny for being successful in politics and medicine. How dare he make enough money or have a good enough job so his family is cared for. His district is just filled with rich and powerful people and surly no "Regular Joe" can see eye-to-eye with him, much less vote for him. I am sure Charlie Rangel and Chuck Schumer know exactly what the "Regular Joe" has to go through. Also, if you want the same health care plan he has access to, go buy it, or run for office.


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written by Phil , September 10, 2009 - 12:42 am
Theo "Neither doctors nor mechanics have any particular specialty in either medical or auto insurance policy.
A doctor is no more qualified than any other politician to speak about health care reform."

I disagree. Having written and maintained medical billing software, doctors are very aware of medical insurance, be it reimbursement rates for HMO's, PPO's, Medicare, Medicaid, or practice liability costs. The sum write-off is staggering for insurance reimbursement. The liability costs are equally high. When your Joe da Radiologist in a small town hospital writes off the money for a year, he has to declare a million dollars as uncollectable. His medical malpractice might run $160,000. An HMO might ink an agreement to reimburse 50%, then refuse to pay on "denied claims".

Same for auto mechanics. Ever need a body shop, and the owner looks hesitant when you name the insurance carrier?
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written by Theo , September 10, 2009 - 12:31 pm
Phil,

I see your point, but that seems to put doctors in roughly the same bracket as normal people with insurance, who have to figure out what their insurance will or won't cover. And just because a mechanic knows enough to be skeptical about an insurer doesn't really make him or her particularly qualified to speak about auto insurance policy. I know enough to be skeptical about my insurance company, and to know the problems of what they will and won't pay, but that doesn't really make me an expert. I think the problem is systematic and should be treated as such. The opinions of doctors should be treated equally with the opinions of patients...
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written by Theo , September 10, 2009 - 12:32 pm
P.S. YOU LIE! (just kidding)
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