What Americans Really Want from Reform

" Time now for the diamond district everyone democratic leader Steny Hoyer predicted today that that house will narrowly passed a sweeping. Overhaul of US health -- this weekend but the question remains is this really what Americans want. On my next -- in that industry kids alone and health -- Allentown. Talent talent of all it. The find out just but his constituents. Want in regards to health -- joining me now from DC. It's Republican congressman Mac thorn berry who represent the great state of Texas specifically district thirteen. I've represented -- I first have to start off with the tragedy in Fort Hood Texas. On the have you heard anything from your constituents and from your office about what is going on there."

" Well I've only gotten fragmentary reports some on the armed services committee and intelligence committee and and now we've we know it's a tragedy. The key thing is to try to take care of the people who were injured. But as far as putting the pieces together as -- the shooter or what their intentions were we just don't know."

" Okay we'll keep us posted if you last hear anything -- you know I found out about this teleconference. Town hall. -- held from my -- good friend Ed in Amarillo Texas and he's on my face but. Friends have been a longtime fan of of happy hour and up up fox and general. And he says that you conducted. Unscientific poll of everyone on that talent town hall in 90%. Were against. Having the government. Do -- this health care reform is that what you're hearing from your constituent."

" Yeah that's about the ratio of my male only calls and emails and so forth. You know these telephone town halls are great tool for us to hear directly from the people. The thirteenth district of Texas is bigger than thirteen states an area so it wants the bill was introduced. I had a chance to tell a lot of people at once about what. Was specifically in the bill but also to listen to them on what they thought about. And and so it very helpful for me to do my job to hear from the people I work for and that's what a telephone town hall enables me to do. Pretty quickly and and pretty easily even around stuck in Washington."

" Yeah well I mean I just shouldn't be surprised you know your Republican congressmen. And dissing your constituents will you know be more of the thinking. When you. Do they not want any kind of health care reform there a 100% satisfied with the system at this."

" No not at all and and to tell the truth I was surprised at the overwhelming response that you say it's not it was not scientific. -- 90% is still amazing I think most people believe that we need to make improvements. Most people are concerned about the cost of health insurance. And a lot of people are concerned about whether those with preexisting conditions can get health insurance at all. But they really want us to focus more narrowly on those specific issues. Not try to remake the -- helping and ensure help here. Industry and and so wedlock for us to take it step by step. Knowing that some things need to be done but we need to protect what's working well at the same time."

" Represented I don't think did you know you're really. You talk about a lot the tort reform has a lot of love lawmakers two Republicans in particular you know what I told them I was going to be doing this segment with evasive what hate accidents. Has capped damages in. Health care liability claims since the 2003. And it hasn't reduced. The cost of healthcare in the state of Texas and you have you've had this loss since 2003."

" Well I think you need to talk to doctors in the state of Texas they will tell you that it has made a difference in their malpractice premiums. It has made a difference."

" On the plus my health care bill that savings -- those they passing those savings that there are getting on to consumers don't."

" Well it sure you know it's about always going to be hard to prove what it would have been. If we had not done that in Texas. But it does make a difference and I think nearly everybody agrees that the other thing people need to know. Is that in this below -- health care bill it tries to repeal all the things like what Texas has done in other states. It's as if you've got half noneconomic damages. You cannot qualify for parts of the funding in this bill. Still like try to take it the other direction and even on dude what we've done in Texas Indiana California others."

" Well you've got a big fight on your hands bad that congressman that -- vary from taxes such -- thank you very much. For joining in the got dessert."