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Friday, 02 May 2008 |
By MIKE BURKHOLDER
Managing Editor
ST. MARYS — An area Congressman Friday met with officials from a local hospital to discuss a variety of topics dealing with the health care crisis in America.
U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, met with administrators from Joint Township District Memorial Hospital during a visit to the 4th Congressional District. Prior to his visit to the hospital, Jordan toured an area Ford plant to discuss soaring energy costs.
“There are some huge issues facing us now,” Jordan told The Evening Leader. “The cost of energy and the cost of health care are big concerns.”
As the political scene continues to evolve in the face of the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination, Jordan said little will probably be accomplished in Congress in terms of health care reform. The Urbana legislator said he does favor parts of Sen. John McCain’s health care proposal, which the Republican recently released.
“His plan does give that tax credit that we give to corporations to families,” Jordan said. “I am nervous about the government running health care. It’s a bad idea. We need a market-based approach that empowers families.”
McCain’s proposal includes a $5,000 refundable tax credit for families to seek their own health care. The plan has been opposed by Democrats in Congress, including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Jordan also said a plan needs to be devised to make sure coverage is available for poor Americans. However Jordan said he does not believe the issue will resolve itself until after a new president takes office.
“I assumed we would be having a national debate on it,” Jordan said of health care. “We have to get a model that helps Americans. It just shouldn’t be the government running it.”
A proposed gasoline tax holiday is something Jordan said he would support if presented to Congress. The proposal, which has caused some controversy on Capitol Hill, could save Americans money at the pumps during the busy summer driving season. However opponents of the proposal claim it will do more harm than good since proceeds go toward maintaining the nation’s highways.
“Anytime we can let Americans save money that’s good,” Jordan said. “I would support it but what we need to do is keep the tax burden low.”
As fuel prices soar, Jordan said members of Congress could play a role in reducing energy costs and America’s dependency on foreign oil. Legislation to open up drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) would have an impact on global oil prices, Jordan said.
“Legislation to allow drilling in Alaska was on President Clinton’s desk — he didn’t sign it,” Jordan said. “The day you sign that bill, prices will come down. The speculators are pushing prices up.”
Joint Township District Memorial Hospital Director of Planning and Marketing Marty Dodrill said Jordan’s visit was a way to tout some of the recent renovation projects at the hospital. Dodrill also said he planned to ask Jordan about the chances of landing a federal grant to help pay for the addition of electronic medical record devices being pushed by legislators in Congress.
“We wanted to show him what we have going on here,” Dodrill told The Evening Leader. “We want to talk to him about federal funds to put those in place.”
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 07 May 2008 )
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