Health Care Reform and Rallies

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By Madelyn Jarrett

Story Published: Jul 15, 2009 at 9:40 PM MST

Story Updated: Jul 16, 2009 at 5:37 AM MST

BILLINGS - A new study estimates 150 Montanans lose their health care coverage every week because they can't afford it. A small group called Change That Works rallied Wednesday night in Billings in favor of reform.

But it's still a touchy subject, not everyone agrees on what kind of reform is needed or how it should be funded.

Wednesday in Washington, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee pushed through a plan, without any support on the republican side. Now both the House and Senate have healthcare reform plans.

Both include one of the President's "must have's," a government run program to compete with private insurers. And one local woman says that's just what the doctor ordered.

"The government has got to get involved. Insurance companies are not giving us good choices and we need another choice," said Lou Hagwer, a Change That Works volunteer at the rally Wednesday night.

Hagwer is without health insurance, she has been for 20 years. "I can't afford to buy health insurance. I work in a very small company and they can not afford health insurance."

Over the past decade the number of companies offering their employees coverage has decreased 6%. But even some of those who have coverage think the system isn't working.

"I went to the doctor to get a check up and even after insurance it was still $600 dollars and it's just unaffordable," said Josh Bradshaw, another volunteer at the rally.

The question remains, where will the money come from to pay for the sweeping reform many are now calling for. The House calls for raising taxes on families making more than $350,000 a year.

The Senate dislikes that formula but so far has not provided an alternative. "If hospitals and doctors could work more closely together to coordinate care and find savings. And also could we find savings in administration and regulation. If we could save money there it could be used to finance reform," suggested Dr. Nick Wolter, the CEO of Billings Clinic.

In interviews Wednesday President Obama said he wanted to make one thing clear, Washington will reform health care.

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celticknotgirl619 said on Thursday, Jul 16 at 2:13 PM

enoughisenough, I am insured through my work, but I still have to pay more than I can afford in uncovered costs. I don't sit on my backside an expect you or anyone else to take care of me. However, I do think that something HAS to change and that is why I support this reform. How dare you assume that only peopel with no job are those who call for change!

uninsured said on Thursday, Jul 16 at 1:53 PM

dear enoughisenough, where do you work? are you covered by workman's comp? unemployment insurance? sick leave? have you ever used any of these benefits?

enoughisenough said on Thursday, Jul 16 at 10:33 AM

Since when is it my responsibility to take care of someone else? I have a family that I am RESPONSILBE FOR, NOT YOU. Because someone can't get their face out of a bucket of chicken and away from their flat screen tv does not make me responsible for their health insurance. If the government wants to make changes, cut the budget instead of adding to it. This is the land of oppurtunity, but don't ride my back, or dig into my wallet and take away from my family what we have earned.

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