Kansas state senator and congressional hopeful Jim Barnett will announce the formation of his campaign’s Health Care Coalition at a forum tonight at Newman Regional Health.
The forum, beginning at 6 p.m., will be Barnett’s second of the day in which he and members of the coalition will discuss issues regarding health care reform in the state and in the country. Barnett will make an appearance in Wichita before coming to Emporia.
Barnett is forming the coalition to start a dialogue on health care issues and the need for reform. The coalition, made up of a wide range of health care professionals, will advise Barnett’s campaign and help look for solutions to the issues.
“As a citizen and a doctor, I have major concerns about the direction the health care debate in Washington is heading,” Barnett said in a press release. “A personal principle of mine is to work towards solutions rather than complaining about the problems.”
Two top concerns Barnett and the coalition intend to address are the cost of and access to health care.
“Our challenges in Kansas are similar to challenges across the nation,” Barnett said. “I want a system that is accessible for everyone, and it shouldn’t matter whether you work for a big company or a small company.” Barnett specifically targeted the tax code that allows people with employer-provided health insurance to pay their premiums with pre-tax income, while those who are self-insured don’t have that option.
The conversation also will revolve around the current health care debate in Washington regarding universal coverage for Americans.
“I have a philosophical difference over the idea that the government should take over health care and health care decisions,” he said. “I believe those decisions should be left between the doctor and the patient. I strongly believe that patients should continue to be able to choose their doctor, and that health care providers should be able to choose the treatment that they feel is appropriate.”
Kansas has unique health care issues, Barnett said, one of those relating to rural care. He mentioned Larned as an example, where the hospital is facing closure. The state also has significant health care issues facing seniors, and shortages of manpower that are making it more difficult and costly to provide care.
Individual choice is another issue Barnett believes in regarding health insurance reform.
“We need to look at moving toward an individual-based system where health care policies are portable from job to job,” he said. “That will allow the individual a greater ability to make their own choices when they have control of their insurance policy.”
As a doctor, Barnett said, he thinks it is essential for the people who make health care decisions to have an extensive knowledge of the industry itself.
“It’s important that the public knows that decisions are being made and crafted by people who are actually involved with taking care of patients and dealing with the problems on a day in and day out basis,” he said.
Barnett said he and coalition members will be ready to answer questions from the public, and looks forward to an open and frank discussion about health care policy.
“We’ll look at long-term options for policies that this coalition thinks make sense for our nation,” he said.
gooseylucy (anonymous) says...
“A personal principle of mine is to work towards solutions rather than complaining about the problems.”
Dr. Barnett, who are you trying to fool? You are all about the
complaining and pointing fingers at someone else. LOL
July 28, 2009 at 2:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Dr. Barnett,
The solution is a simple one. Lower costs of healthcare and health insurance and live a little lower off the hog !
SIMPLE, isn't it.
July 28, 2009 at 2:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eiggohp (anonymous) says...
GOOD LUCK, DR./SENATOR BARNETT~~
It is about time someone sticks up for the rights of the patient and being to chose their physican and keep their insurance of choice. Besides, this country is on the brink of bankruptcy now and can not afford this Obama based health care~~~~
I do agree that the cost of health care is too expensive, but put a cap on the malpractice insurance so that doctors don't have to feel they need to run every possible test so they don't get sued to the hilt.
Also, put some type of a cap on what the hospital can charge....a simple $15.00 asprin is crazy!!! I was charged $30.00 for a band-aid.......and they won't let you take your own meds....they want to charge you for theirs.
July 28, 2009 at 3:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gooseylucy (anonymous) says...
eiggohp, I'm not saying that health care isn't overpriced, but you are not paying $15 for a simple asprin. Get real. You are paying for all the support people on the front line and behind the scene that gets you that asprin. You are paying the clerk that puts in the order for the asprin, the pharmacy tech that fills the order, the pharmacist that makes sure it doesn't interact with your other meds, and also the nurse that gives you the asprin.
July 28, 2009 at 4:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
food4thought (anonymous) says...
Lets see Dr Barnett you say lower health cost. Well if I am not mistaken IMA your practice is the highest in the Emporia area. If health care was to lower how would you and your partners(Dr Geitz and Kretsinger) pay for your fancy houses and your BMW's. If I am not mistaken I have also seen your daughter driving around in her own BMW. I believe if healthcare prices lower you would need to switch jobs, to say a congressman? Oh, I get it now!!!!!!
July 28, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )