Debate Over Including Public Option

" Well the -- national debate over health care reform is getting rougher on Capitol Hill say the least our next guest represents both sides of the aisle. And while they both agreed that we need change they don't agree on what type of change that will look like. Can bipartisan agreement you've -- joining me now represented John Campbell Republican from California. And representative Allyson Schwartz Democrat from Pennsylvania good morning -- thanks for being here. -- morning like that becomes a -- interview I was speaking earlier today with senator Kent Conrad about where things stand in negotiations and he -- look. Police in the Senate right now we don't have the -- for public option and the option right now as most bipartisan support is the co op option. Do you agree with that he's -- that. Well -- I'm in the house."

" And we've done a lot of work on this healthcare legislation and it's come out of all three committees it's ready to come to the floor. Obviously -- listen to voters will make some changes along the way and we get to see what comes out of the Senate. In my -- is that we have come up with say -- really reasoned moderate bill that that offers private and public options to Americans to reduce costs sent to make. Health insurance both more meaningful and more accessible. Financially. To all Americans. I didn't and will want to move forward on that and you know my own feeling about how love is that it's an option out there know -- with co -- being a part of the legislation to the Senate choose to do that. But it's not. Substitute. For what we really need is a really vibrant private public. Options for Americans particularly those. Whether most difficulty in buying meaningful insurance in the private marketplace and that's individuals small businesses right and AM they have the they have ice time finding insurance we need a public options that we can be sure that there will be. And option for Americans to buy and -- Campbell I may be misinformed but I would presume that the only way public not Cheney is gonna pass in the house is if all Democrats vote for it. And that seems at the blue dogs go along. And that -- not going to get ad in the Senate to where we had it. Well not quite sure."

" Tahoe where where we're headed on this but I think they the analysis you just gave is correct as Republicans we. Aggressively oppose. The so called public option because what it really will lead to is over a 58 year period. It will lead to government controlled health care and that's. That's what we absolutely don't want. And that's what we certainly want to try to avoid now as far as this co op thing. We need to make sure that if there is some kind of a co op that it's not just a government plan on in the skies with -- another title. But frankly the question I have about all of this is there's over thirteen hundred health plans offered today in the United States. Now here in California I only have a few of them as an option because I can't -- across state lines if we allow people to buy health. Care plans across state lines we have over thirteen hundred options I can't imagine. That's some of those aren't good for almost everybody I don't know why we need another plan."

" can look at that question I I was there I'm the first to admit it I have not read 1100 pages. I've only read extensively about it. But just did that not part of the existing bill and look the Senate Finance Committee members have not put their bail out with the existing house bill that people are talking about. Did did not include the ability to buy insurance across state lines."

" I don't believe that it does and I have to tell you I haven't read all 1100 pages of it yet because it will certainly change this bill is certainly going to change before anything comes. Comes to the floor but I don't believe it is perhaps. Congresswoman Schwartz can confirm that."

" That was thank you know that -- I am -- it I don't believe that it does but let me out let me also say that. In this exchange what the bill does do and again lawyer looking at is is really a a private public. Options for Americans that if you're employed and if you get your insurance through your employer most Americans do and we'll continue to. That won't change that you will be able than the employer will be able to offer the options that they do now that's going to continue. In fact we expect that more employers will take on the responsibility of of sharing with their employees. My health insurance. We want to could change in the rules to make it less expensive and you know more available to Americans but. This exchange is really being fed initially and that is for the first eight to ten years. For those individuals -- talking about about fifteen million Americans who don't have. Health insurance now. And others who are so deeply un and underinsured. That they really concerned about this is small business owners individuals. Some with preexisting conditions and two different kind of -- the health problem comes and arguing short but let me just say that. We want there to be private insurance options we are hoping -- industries steps up and provides meaningful. Options for people but in many markets in this country there are simply one -- sometimes to insurers. And that's all you have available they say no you. Where you go any ideas to have another option."

" I had that you understand I have to -- you both out on this question now. I feel like we're talking that he's 47 million people or not insured and yet both of you is representatives of boss. Have not read the existing bail and granted I know it's going to change multiple times over but isn't part. Of your responsibility. Is to educate us. About what does exist so we don't wind up with something that is catastrophic down the road. -- just curious if here on recess you do in the town halls why haven't you got to read it. I mean I have so I."

" Perfectly happy to say that of course I can. Tell you that is Democrats in can hear more about the Republicans but we know we million encourage all of our members to go through the bill. But we actually had. I'm in addition to many many meetings on. On the health care legislation we actually set up I was almost four hours on a six -- I think of really going through the legislation members brought the big bill a thousand pages and read through it you could see them with. Yellow highlight -- and notes in the margins. And they ask questions very specifically about what was in this bill and what it meant to constituents. And that's we're talking your constituents about -- we need to be able to talk her constituents about what it means for them. The fact it will help them have a stable ongoing coverage. And and that's and no longer having that worry as an American that you will not be able to -- insurance that you might be unsure tomorrow. That it really is a huge change for Americans. That's for this legislation would do."

" Congressman -- how do you respond to that about not reading it I know that you've cosponsored HR 2520 different bills so I'm not distracting from that. But you you have to represent us."

" Right now you're right and I but I have read enough of it to know that I am so we can't stand this thing and I think it's. And I think it's terrible and I think it will lead to government run healthcare and I think we'll be directional the opposite of where we ought to go. And that private health and the quality of care that we have in this country which is the best in the world right now. Will deteriorate significantly I've read enough of it to know of that and to know that we've. That this bill needs to be substantially change this is not a bill where a little bit -- tweak a little bit I think here and there. And it'll be okay it needs to be substantially changed because of the major factors that are in there that are so bad in my view."

" If if I may and I don't know what the scandals referring to it that he doesn't like being -- not very specific. But I think we are actually committed isolate the speak for myself as a representative from this. The Philadelphia area we have for a teaching hospitals we're very very proud of the extraordinary. And the medical care and research and innovation. That we produced right here in Philadelphia. And I am very proud of that and working very hard to make sure that and we are. Really going to keep a strong -- us innovation research and quality of care in fact what we want to do is to make sure that all Americans have access to smart. Value in my health care as well aren't I some very big difference to my -- at a -- up here I've represented cable and Schwartz thank you guys so much for being -- an -- to -- with us we."