McConnell: Health Care Public Option A "Non-Starter" For GOP

(CBS)

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said President Barack Obama's plan to include government-backed health insurance for the public is a "non-starter" for most Republicans considering health care reform.

Appearing on CBS' Face The Nation Sunday, McConnell told host Bob Schieffer that Mr. Obama's plan for a government health insurance plan would essentially crowd out other insurers from the private market, eliminating competition.

"We can make incredible improvements in American health care, but I don't think having more government — in effect putting Washington between you and your doctor — is the way to go."

Schieffer countered McConnell's contention that the Obama plan would choose (or deny) which treatments a covered individual may get; the White House is not proposing any kind of rationing board, he said. He also repeated the administration's assertion that a public insurance plan would give people another option. "If they want to keep their private insurance, that's OK," Schieffer said.

"I know they say that, Bob," McConnell countered, "but if the government is in the insurance business there won't be any other insurers, it's inevitable."

"All of that really ought to be put aside if we want to get a truly bi-partisan proposal," he said bluntly.

The Republican leader said the United States already has the best healthcare in the world, albeit expensive, and said the focus should be on wellness programs and litigation reform.

In a statement Saturday, President Obama appealed to Congress to pass legislation which would increase the efficiency of health coverage for Americans to avoid higher cost treatments and hospital stays. "If doctors have incentives to provide the best care instead of more care, we can help Americans avoid the unnecessary hospital stays, treatments and tests that drive up costs," the president said.

Schieffer said that the option of taxing employer-based medical insurance is alive and well in the Senate (despite Mr. Obama's rejection of the idea during his campaign), and that the White House says nothing is off the table.

McConnell said the Senate Finance committee is grappling with how to pay for an expansion of the already-too-expensive government-run health care options.

"Let me tell you what I would do if I were in charge," he said. "I would equalize the tax treatment between companies and individuals," meaning he would give individuals paying for their healthcare a tax deduction.

The Obama administration is discussing reducing subsidies to hospitals. Schieffer asked if the senator thought that was feasible.

"I think that is going to be extremely controversial," he said. "You are going to hear from every hospital in America, and virtually every doctor, pushing back."


More from Face The Nation (6.14.09):

McConnell: Gitmo A "Perfect Place" For Terrorists

Durbin: Hard To Support Health Care Tax

Schieffer: Remembering Tim Russert

Read The Complete Transcript> (pdf)

To watch Mitch McConnell on Face The Nation click on the video player below.

[jacquelynbrowne]

If you are uninsured and does not have insurance, you should check out the website http://UninsuredAmerica.blogspot.com - jacquelynbrowne, California

[brokedownbrown]

We must have a universal health care or a public option. It is time people stopped suffering. Be strong Obama and lets get this thing done. Universal health care will also help improve our economy.

[billr40229]

With 76 percent of Americans wanting a public option for health care the GOP (party of no) senate should have about thirty members in a few years.

[judithatwork]

It is amazing that anyone would think that we'd be treated any better by insurers this time than we have been in the past. If you were robbed by someone and subsequently allowed them to hold your wallet for you, people would say you had asked for trouble. Think of the insurers as that robber! And remember the HUGE profit margins they've been getting (out of our wallets, folks)!

[jtsbrown]

Reading whats coming out of Obama"s and Republicans mouths that we are not going to have a single-payer plan, the American people have lost out again to corporate America. When is this gonna stop. We are constantly getting screwed to the high heavens! I voted for Obama for his promise of change, stupid me. You can paint them all with the same brush.

[sleepyric]

This is too funny....go ahead and complain,,,when Franken is seated in the senate, you GOP dudes are going to BE HAD like the rest of us for the last 8 years. So, go ahead and make your lame complaints, it's not going to do a bit of good. Also, I agree with the comment someone made "if the GOP thinks it's bad, it must be good.."

[ralpherus]

stop whining you cheap parasites!! Give me doctors give me medicines give me bandages give me MRI's but don't make me pay...stupid feeble moronic parasitical worthless pieces of trash! God damned idiots like you are why we have democrats DSESTROYING our freedom you FOOLS!! Die with dignity,and stop annoying productive folks!

[wogerwabbit]

When is McConnell up for reelection? When do the rest of the obstructionist traitors, both (R)epublican and (D)emocrat come up for reelection? Our votes are more important now than ever before in our history. Vote these thieves and scoundrels out of office!

[jroach31]

McConnell took more Health Insurance/Pharmaceutical money in 2008 than anyone in Congress, except for the major presidential candidates. Of course he's going to carry their water.

[1bdby]

The Republicans sound like a broken record. Same ole' same ole, status quo. They are not creative.