RSS
Nelson Insists Money For Health Insurance Exchange Grants Not Be Wasted
Nelson Says State Should Either Return Money Or Create Health Insurance Exchanges
Nelson Tells Seniors He Will Fight Changes That Undermine Social Security And Medicare
Social Security and Medicare No Place for Politics
Read More > >
Source: Lincoln Journal Star
OMAHA - Sen. Ben Nelson spent most of his time answering fiction and fears about health care reform at a public meeting Wednesday that attracted an overflow crowd of more than 1,000.
Although plenty of anger and tension simmered in some of the questions, the audience treated Nelson with respect and remained civil and calm.
It got a tad edgy a couple of times, but Nelson's first in a series of public health care meetings provided a sharp contrast to town hall meetings in other states that have erupted in shoving and shouting.
Nebraska's Democratic senator will hold a health care reform session in Lincoln on Thursday at the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital gym at 5401 South St., beginning at 3 p.m.
The size of the Omaha crowd provided the best measurement of the uncertainty and angst engendered by proposals for fundamental changes in health insurance and health care.
About 350 people, including Warren Buffett, squeezed into an auditorium on the University of Nebraska Medical Center campus to hear Nelson. Another 100 or so listened in overflow rooms.
Outside, an estimated 600 people who were unable to get inside listened on a loudspeaker.
"I understand the anxiety," Nelson told them.
"I know you do not want to be worse off than you are today."
Nelson said much of the fear is driven by "people out there who are attempting to mislead you (with) so many myths."
Nebraskans need to "get the facts and truth," he said, "not just fiction and spin."
Among the "myths" he shot down were claims that the legislation would create "death panels" to ration or deny care, extend coverage to illegal immigrants and fund abortions.
Nelson, who may be an even more critical vote for Democrats now that Senate Republicans appear to be increasingly resisting a bipartisan bill, gave few hints about where he might ultimately land.
"We need to cut the (health care) cost curve," he said, while improving delivery of care.
What he wants to guard against, he said, is "ending up with something that makes matters worse."
Nelson said he prefers a bipartisan solution because that would produce "a much better piece of legislation."
Instead of shouting or interrupting, the audience chose to express its opinion with applause when a questioner struck a nerve.
One of the biggest applause lines came when a woman declared: "At this time, I don't trust my government."
But Nelson was applauded by other members of the audience when he defended the need for reform and reminded listeners that a number of government health care programs, including Medicare, already fund health care services.
Challenged as to whether he'd be willing to give up his government plan as a senator to participate in a new system created by legislative reform, Nelson said: "Yes. I may end up with a better plan. Quite possibly, yes."
Nelson remained resistant to a "public option" health insurance alternative, but said he might consider it as "a fall-back" if there are not sufficient private insurance choices.
Ron Beckman of Omaha, a retiree who is on Medicare, expressed some of the concerns of opponents after the meeting concluded.
"I am very concerned about the direction of our government," he said. "I think it is heading toward socialism."
Beckman said he believes his health care "definitely is at risk" if government plays a larger role.
"I'm on Medicare now with a supplemental health insurance policy," he said.
"I think that provides much better health care than the government alone."
During a news conference following the session, Nelson said he feels no partisan pressure to join Senate Democrats in enacting legislation.
"If pressure is applied, it will not work," he said, slowly measuring his words.
###
Search: Health Care, Nelson in the News