The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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March 21, 2010

Locals predict poor U.S. health

By Robert Barron, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

As the U.S. House of Representatives debated the health care bill Sunday, local legislators and medical professionals predicted dire circumstances if it passes and is signed into law.

“It will hammer Oklahoma and the nation,” said state Rep. John Enns, R-Enid. “Requiring someone to take something government-run, what government-run program has shown success? None.”

The Oklahoma House approved legislation two weeks ago, stating the state does not have to comply with federally-mandated health care but Enns did not know if the Senate would approve it.

The state Senate did approve it, but state Sen. Patrick Anderson said it will not prevent the federal program from taking effect. The Enid Repub-lican commented the federal health care bill will bring additional stress to the already shaky state budget.

“One plan is to cut federal funding to the advantage waiver program — that helps keep seniors in their homes rather than going to a nursing home,” he said.

Anderson said it takes more money to place people in nursing homes, than to keep them at home, but the state will not be able to continue the funding to keep seniors at home. Currently the state spends the most money keeping seniors at home, he said.

Anderson sits on the Senate appropriations committee which deals with the advantage waiver program and said he is concerned about it.

State Rep. Mike Jackson said there are many different health care bills and it is hard to know the specific effect. He predicted a hit on Medicaid, but said the state budget actually could be eased, while individual taxpayers will see their taxes rise significantly.

“It does take away the choice of the individual,” Jackson said. “The plan, as it now looks as being implemented, will find those who may be self-employed and have chose not to be insured. It will cut back in terms of how many doctors come out of medical school and completely change the look of our health care system. (Right now) I believe we have one of the best in the world.”

Enid physician Dan Washburn came to Enid about 25 years ago at the same time as a group of other doctors. Washburn, who recently turned 60, foresees a number of doctors retiring or cutting back on patient load if the health care bill becomes law.

“My worry is they are talking about it being ‘budget-neutral.’ You can’t bring all those people in and keep it budget-neutral without knocking some people out like Medicare recipients,” Washburn said.

He also is concerned in the future fewer people will want to become doctors because of the declining pay. He said most of his patients are Medicare recipients, and it is difficult to find specialists to treat them because few accept Medicare.

Washburn predicted the quality of health care will decline if the bill passes.

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