Published: September 04, 2009 10:20 pm         

Ellsworth stays central on health care reform

Congressman says he favors changes, won’t back bill that increases deficit

TERRE HAUTE — EDITOR’S NOTE: On Friday, 8th District Congressman Brad Ellsworth conducted his second conference call with constituents to discuss health care reform. Media were allowed to listen in, but were not permitted to participate. Reporter Arthur Foulkes did so, and filed this report.



U.S. Rep. Brad Ellsworth, D-Indiana, is walking a cautious line regarding still-developing health care legislation in Washington.

In a one-hour “town hall” conference telephone call with constituents Friday, Ellsworth said he will not support a health care bill that increases the federal budget deficit or forces private insurance companies out of business.

“I don’t want to eliminate private health insurance companies,” Ellsworth told about 90 residents of Indiana’s 8th District during the conference call. “I don’t want a single-payer plan.”

On the other hand, Ellsworth said he favors some important health care changes. He wants to prevent insurance companies from refusing coverage to people with pre-existing medical conditions and wants to guarantee Americans can keep their insurance even if they change jobs. The second-term congressman also said he favors lifting restrictions that prevent insurance providers from competing for customers across state lines.

“My number one goal in this … is to protect what works and fix what doesn’t,” Ellsworth said. “Doing nothing is not an option.”

Ellsworth is one of about 50 moderate to conservative “Blue Dog” Democrats in the House of Representatives. The Blue Dog Coalition has expressed concern about some features of President Barack Obama’s health care proposals. According to the New York Times, Blue Dog Democrats represent conservative districts and “have the most to lose if a Democratic [health care] bill spurs a backlash.”

Ellsworth was careful to leave his options open during his phone conversation with constituents. He emphasized that a final version of a health care bill has not yet taken shape on Capitol Hill. He also said he would not have voted in favor of a proposed bill prior to congress’s now-concluding summer recess.

“I’m really glad we were able to postpone the legislation,” Ellsworth said. “I was not prepared, nor would I have voted for, the proposed bill on August 6th” when the summer recess began, he said.

In response to a constituent’s question, Ellsworth said he would not favor setting up a long-term government subsidized health insurance program. Rather, he said, a government insurance — or “public option” — program would receive “seed money” from Washington to get started, but then would become self-financing through insurance premiums. If it looks as if the “public option” would need taxpayer subsidies beyond a year or two, “I can’t go that way,” he said.

Another constituent expressed concern that a government health insurance program could be used to fund abortions and provide health care to illegal immigrants. Ellsworth said he is “confident” a final health care bill will not include abortion funding. He also told the constituent “you and I are on the same page,” regarding funding of health care for people in the country without government permission.

If a public option health insurance program becomes available, the Congressional Budget Office estimates about 11 million Americans will sign up, Ellsworth said. He also said he favors requiring participation from mostly young people presently not insured by choice. “They need to be paying in,” he said.

This was the second telephone town hall meeting Ellsworth has conducted. Anyone unable to ask a question during the conference call was invited to leave a message with the assurance that someone from the congressman’s office would call back. In all, Ellsworth took about 10 constituent questions during the hourlong conference.



Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.