Health care debate takes a recess

A congressional break might be just what the doctor ordered for an intense debate in Washington, D.C. over health care reforms, says U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul.

McCaul is back in the 10th District during Congress’ recess. He was in Brenham today and Monday, meeting with organizations like the Farm Bureau and Trinity Medical Center.

Health care reforms have dominated Washington for the last month, with the Obama administration pushing a massive overhaul.

McCaul said he is hopeful that members of Congress hear from constituents when they return to their districts during the month-long break.

The Obama administration was pushing for passage of a health care bill before the break "because they knew when the members went home, they were going to hear from their constituents."

And most of those constituents don’t support what’s being discussed, opposition which McCaul said he expects will grow.

"The longer this current version is out there, the more information is going to come out and the more opposition there’s going to be," he said.

McCaul, an outspoken critic of the reforms, said he finds little to support in the 1,000-plus page bill being pushed by Democrats.

McCaul said he is convinced it would deliver a "huge blow" to health care providers, cutting Medicare and Medicaid payments and mandating employers to provide health insurance or pay an 8 percent payroll tax.

"It’s going to kill jobs during a time when the economy can least afford it," said McCaul.

It would also introduce government-sponsored health insurance to "compete" with private market providers.

McCaul said he is also convinced the proposal will trigger a "physician shortage" as the health care field attracts fewer people.

"In countries where they’ve tried something like this, they find there’s a shortage of physicians," he said.

McCaul said he has talked to doctors throughout the district and found "they’re very concerned about the way this thing is going."

Hospitals in rural areas will also face huge Medicare funding cuts, he added

When Congress reconvenes next month, McCaul said he is hopeful that better legislation will prevail.

"I hope we can come up with a bill that makes more sense. We’ve got the best health care in the world, but we need to make it more affordable and accessible," he said. "I’m hopeful we’ll be able to find a bipartisan approach."

McCaul is a cosponsor of a House resolution called the Health Care for All Americans Act, which he said is "a common sense, cost-effective alternate."