Coverage of health care reform

GREEN BAY - Health care experts acknowledge 46 million Americans are currently without health coverage. But U.S. Rep. Tom Petri, R-6th Dist., says the need for reform is exaggerated with only about 15 million Americans really in need. He says an estimated 11 million are eligible for Medicaid but haven't applied. And the rest are between jobs, or choose not to have coverage.

"You have a lot of people not covered for one reason or another primarily through their own choice," said Petri.

U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen, D-8th Dist., is pushing the health care reform plan to insure affordable coverage for all--including those denied due to ones health, a pre-existing condition or inability to pay.

"It's called no discrimination," said Kagen.

Petri does agree with no discrimination, but he doesn't believe government should force coverage on everyone.

"The idea government will be able to better regulate than consumers is a false hope," explained Petri.

"I want to be perfectly clear. If you're happy with what you've got I'd like you to keep it but at a lower price," said Kagen.

Kagen says the reform plan would most benefit the poor and small business that currently can't afford to pay for workers' coverage by driving down costs.

"This is about improving the quality of your care at a lower cost and making healthcare affordable again for small business," Kagen said.

But Petri says penalties in the plan for non-participation would be lower than actually paying for coverage and keep people out of the plan.

"They won't buy any coverage until they have a major medical problem and then there is a requirement people with pre-existing conditions be covered," said Petri.

Both Congressmen admit the reform plan is not complete and revisions continue to be made to work out the exact details and how it might work if approved.