Health care reform debate continues

Jane Benson has run her internet design business out of her Suamico home for about four years now. She worked for Paper Converting Machine Company in Green Bay for nearly 20 years before that.

"While I was there I had great health insurance," said Benson. "I did develop a nerve problem in my arms when I was there."

Benson was the primary health care provider for herself and her husband, who also owns his own business. After being laid off, Benson had to find her own coverage. She was denied by one company because of her family medical history. When she finally found a plan, it would not cover her nerve condition, in addition to her premiums continuing to rise.

"They have gone up 30 percent in two years," she said.

Benson was one of six supporters selected to meet with Rep. Steve Kagen on Tuesday, just hours before a public option was voted down by the Senate Finance Committee. Kagen, D-8th Congressional District, has been one of the leading advocates of a government run, public health care plan for all U.S. citizens and legal residents.

"I believe the House will have a bill with a public option in it," said Kagen. "Those differences will have to be resolved in the conference between the leaders of the senate and leaders of the house."

The president and CEO of Prevea Health says a public option would have to be carefully crafted or could have a large, negative affect on health care jobs.

"If the government is playing and also regulating, how are we going to get true competition?" said Dr. Ashok Rai. "People have also brought counter arguments, which are valid. You have FedEx, UPS and the US Postal Service. But this is your health care we're talking about. It's a lot more complex."

Rai also says, while patient care is an emphasis of a public option plan, some of the proposals would not allow physicians who chose not see patients under the public option -- to see their current Medicare patients.

"I think that is a dangerous proposition and we should not use our Medicare patients as a bargaining chip," said Rai.

While Benson says people like her have no bargaining chips with the insurance companies.

"I don't dare go to the doctor, because if they find something, I can't afford to have it taken care of anyway," she said.