Senators from Missouri Engage in Health Care Debate

Earlier this month, the House narrowly approved a health care bill on a 220-to-215 vote. The Missouri delegation largely opposed the measure, with only three of nine members of Congress voting in favor of it. Although Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill is optimistic about the current health care debate, she is unsure if a bill will be on President Obama's desk by the end of the year. According to Missouriinet, McCaskill says, "I'm hopeful that we will complete the work in the Senate by the end of the year."

Missouri Senator Kit Bond also supports changes to insurance practices that leave many out in the cold, but doesn't support the public option. He also has no comment on whether or not people should be required to buy health insurance. Bond vows to kill the Senate and House version of health care reform.

McCaskill supports a universal health care plan and a limited public option. With disagreements even among legislators representing Missouri, it is yet to be seen how the Senate debates and eventual bill will provide resolution.

Outcome of Debate Still Unknown

Jane Whitesides of the Missouri Progressive Vote Coalition says in the Missourian, "It's one thing to torpedo the Democrat's plan, but not offering a viable alternative does all Americans a grave disservice, because our economy is threatened by the precipitous rise in health costs."

Debates are supposed to last for weeks over what form the Senate health care plan should take. At a cost of nearly $1 trillion, the legislation is designed to extend health care to millions of American who lack it, abolish insurance industry practices such as denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions and cut back on the rise of health-care spending overall.

On the democrats.senate.gov website, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid cautions, "So as we round the latest turn along this journey, I renew my plea to this body, to Senators on both sides of the aisle: Let's discuss the specifics in this bill, not the whispers of wild rumors."

Sources:

David Epso, With emotions running high, Senate opens partisan health debate, Associated Press

"Reid: Senate Health Reform Debate Should Be About Facts, Not Fear," Democrats.Senate.gov

"McCaskill anxious to get health care debate started," Missourinet

"Where your legislators stand in the health care debate," Missourian