By U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud
(D-Maine)
As I write this, Congress is preparing to adjourn for the August break. I voted against adjournment so that we could stay in session and complete work on a health care reform package. Though it appears Congress will break for the month of August, I believe that the ongoing work on health care reform is positive and demonstrates that some good progress has been made.
I have been working with my colleagues to ensure that rural states like Maine are treated fairly as we move forward with legislation to reform the health care system. Recent agreements reached in the House are likely to improve the legislation, making reform work better for Mainers. Geographic inequities in reimbursement rates and the concerns of our small businesses are now getting the attention they deserve.
Over the next few weeks, three House committees will work to merge their versions of health care reform into one package. The Senate is also working on a bipartisan way forward. I remain hopeful that this process will produce strong legislation that will lower costs, expand coverage and improve quality for all Americans.
In my view, the House bill that we are ultimately asked to vote on must have a public option for me to support it. Like the President, I believe that if people like their current health insurance that they should be able to keep it and continue to see the doctors that they have grown to trust. But if people don’t like their health insurance or have none, a properly structured public insurance option could provide an affordable alternative.
I have strongly urged House leadership to work to keep a public option in the final package. I am hopeful that it will be included, especially given that all three House committees have supported the idea of a public option.
Having time to understand and read this bill has been good for the process. I have read the entire draft bill and recently participated in a 5-hour briefing where the staff of the three committees reviewed every section of the bill. It was a very informative and productive session that was praised by many of the members who attended. I also held a telephone town hall so that I could hear directly from Mainers on health care reform.
Now, due to recent agreements and continued committee work, we expect some more changes will be made to the bill in the coming days and weeks. When the final legislation is put together and made available to members, I will review it again. I will also be talking to Maine health care providers, small businesses, individuals and families. Because this process was not rushed, we will know what we are voting on and how it will affect our constituents.
I encourage all Mainers to contact me to share their views. In the meantime, I will continue to update my website with the most up-to-date information available as this process moves forward. In my view, great progress is being made.
