Cincinnati Children's Hosts National Health Care Debate
Cincinnati Children's hosted a national congressional debate on health policy Monday, April 28. Eight legislators from the US House of Representatives discussed important health care issues facing Americans today, primarily, the lack of insurance coverage for 47 million people, 9 million of whom are children. The debate was the second in a four-part series and was the first to be held outside Washington, DC.
While both the Democrats and Republicans agreed that lack of insurance coverage was the most pressing concern that needed to be addressed, each party proposed different approaches. The Democrats backed a universal plan that would extend SCHIP, strengthen Medicare for seniors and help smaller employers pool their resources to increase their health care insurance buying power. Republicans proposed giving a tax credit of $5,000 for each uninsured person to spend on the health care plan that best fits their needs.
Debate participants included:
- Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA)
- Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA)
- Rep. Marion Berry (D-AR)
- Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL)
- Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ)
- Rep. Shelly Moore Capito (R-WVA)
- Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA)
- Rep. Nathan Deal (R-GA)
