Wednesday, March 24, 2010
10:34 AM
Kagen complains about 'misinformation' on health care bill
U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen said today there has been "a great deal of misinformation" on the health care bill the president signed into law, ticking off a list of positive provisions in the bill.
Kagen, D-Appleton, said he has received some phone calls, even from friends and supporters, who were concerned about various aspects of the bill. He said one disabled veteran called concerned he might lose benefits at the VA, and Kagen's office assured him that was not the case.
"The fact is this is a good bill, and we can continue to improve it as time moves forward," Kagen told a teleconference. "It's good for patients. It saves lives. It saves jobs. It strengthens Medicare. It's great for small businesses. This will be a bill of historic proportions, and I'm so honored to be a part of it."
Republicans have been trying to make the case that the legislation will be a liability for Dems, especially those who represent swing districts. But Kagen showed no signs during the call about shying away from the bill this fall.
"This is something I'll be happy to campaign on at the appropriate time," he said. "I'll fight my heart out to guarantee that these rights we fought so hard to obtain do not go away."
Kagen pushed to have price transparency language included in the health care bill, but it was not part of the final package. He said he will continue pushing for the bill as stand alone legislation, and he repeatedly called the health care bill that passed a civil rights issue.
"In the 1960s, we fought very hard to secure our civil rights at the lunch counter and now every citizen will soon have equal rights and no discrimination at the pharmacy counter or the doctor's office and most importantly at the hospitals," Kagen said.
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