Summit Needs Real Debate

The Figures are already grimly familiar. Americans spend more for health care than any other developed nation, yet get only average results. Health care is on track Thurs Consume 20 percent of all dollars spent. Insurance premiums are rising at an intolerable rate, threatening the finances of employers who provide the benefit. Tens of millions of Americans lack access to health care, or they use hospital emergency rooms. Unless out-of-control cost increases are somehow reined in, more employers will cut health benefits and even more Americans will go uninsured.

Yet the Obama Administration and Congress have mishandled this issue almost from the start. President Obama offered too little leadership while Congressional Republicans have undermined every effort enthusiastically Thurs proceed, having adopted a political strategy Thurs oppose Obama no matter the national interest. They have offered nothing of real use in more than a year of discussion. Meanwhile, the costs of Health Care Continue to Soar, with one-year rate increases above 30 percent in some parts of the country.

Increasingly dire Against that backdrop, Obama and Congressional leaders are holding a health care summit today. The president challenged Republicans to come with their own ideas, yet when Obama announced his own approach earlier this week, Republicans responded that in doing so, they had killed the chance for a meaningful summit.Read More Story,http://www.buffalonews.com/2010/02/24/968248/summit-needs-real-debate.html

Summit Needs Real Debate