Pascrell Highlights Government Responsibility in Healthcare Reform
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
New York, NY –
Republicans and some conservative Democrats have been pummeling the idea of a “public plan” for healthcare reform.
REPORTER: But Congressman Bill Pascrell, a New Jersey Democrat, says a government-backed alternative is necessary to cover the uninsured.
PASCRELL: When folks talk about 'the government taking over' – well, we don’t want the government to take over. We want people to have a choice. But the government has a responsibility, particularly if there are 48 million Americans without health insurance.
REPORTER: Speaking this morning on the Brian Lehrer Show, Pascrell said a public plan would give competition to private insurance and help keep costs down.
Pascrell also challenged the assertion on Tuesday’s show by New Jersey Republican Scott Garrett that a government insurance plan would drive doctors out of business, because it would pay them too little.
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