Obama's Health Care Summit: Tom Harkin, Mike Enzi Debate

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S health care summit on Thursday saw republicans and democrats coming to an agreement on several points. There was major debate on the health care issue on which both republicans and democrat leaders agreed that the system needs major over hauling.

Stop Discrimination in Health Insurance

Tom Harkin, the top Democrat on the Senate health committee said insurance companies who refuse coverage to people with pre-existing medical conditions are engaging in discrimination.

Senator Harkin of Iowa told participants at the White House's health summit that such refusals give way to racial discrimination. Harkin says it's time to end discrimination based on health in this century.

Democrats are pushing a health care overhaul that would make it illegal for insurance companies to refuse coverage to people who have conditions such as asthma or diabetes.

Harkin says if health companies cover everyone regardless of health conditions, costs will go down.

Meanwhile Senator Mike Enzi said any and all private insurance plans should be offered -- not just those meeting federally established standards, but also those who don't meet the federal standards.

Democratic rep Jim Cooper talked about controlling the deficit while at the same time backing that belief up with tough votes.

Cooper has been around the health care debate since the Clinton's attempt at health care policies in 1994. He knows the ins-and-outs of health policy, including the finances of such care.

He warned members of both parties that if they are planning to finance the overhaul bills through cutting Medicare they must be willing to back that belief up with tough votes.