The latest news and views from Congressman Vern Buchanan.
By Kim Cartlidge
A Bradenton Veterans Day parade, an Englewood town meeting, a call for an inquiry into the possibility of terrorism behind the Fort Hood shootings and constituent meetings will make for a relatively quiet week for Congressman Vern Buchanan, who’s in town through the weekend.
Last week, he returned to D.C. from visiting with troops and military officials in Afghanistan, after which he expressed his support for additional troops, and within days voted on the 2,000-page House healthcare reform bill. On Monday, he spoke to a League of Women Voters group about his “no” vote and the Republican plan, which he supports.
Congressman Vern Buchanan speaks to the League of Women Voters.
The House bill that passed late Saturday by a 220-215 vote was endorsed by AARP, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the American Nurses Association, and, conditionally, by the American Medical Association. It was opposed by the U.S Chamber of Commerce, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The bill is now moving through the U.S. Senate.
The GOP version had three important provisions that would help contain costs, Buchanan says. It would allow associations to pool together to buy insurance as groups, allow companies to sell policies across state lines, and save an estimated $54 billion a year through tort and legal reform.
Buchanan represents the Congressional district with the largest number of seniors over 65 in the country, and he’ll be getting an earful about healthcare reform this week. He also serves on the House Committee on Small Business, and says one reason for his opposition to the healthcare bill was the provision to partially fund it with a payroll tax, or fine, on small businesses with payrolls over $500,000 that do not offer insurance benefits.
Buchanan told the League group that in his constituent polls, 75 to 85 percent of his voters say they like the medical insurance they have. His own companies pay about $1,000 to $1,200 per month to insure a family of four. Many business owners can’t afford the monthly expense, so they’re asking employees to pick up the cost. A goal of reform, he says, should be to get that cost back down to $600 to $700 a month for a family of four. “If you don’t fix the costs, I don’t care how you pay for it, it’s not going to work,” he said.
Buchanan with Sarasota County Commissioner Nora Patterson.
He fielded a number of questions about Afghanistan, partisanship, Wall Street bonuses and oil drilling off Florida’s coast, which he said he opposes. Asked what he’s learned about Congress since taking office in 2007, he said, “how little regard there is for any kind of budget. It is shocking. We have a trillion [each year] that’s discretionary, and we’re still overspending.”
With so much weighty business before Congress, it’s a good time to call or write and express your opinions or concerns. Call the Vern Buchanan office at (941) 951-6643, or visit www.buchanan.house.gov, register with your e-mail, and leave a comment there. You can also find Buchanan’s Facebook and Twitter information on the site.
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