First Coast Lawmakers Weigh in on Government Health Insurance

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Congresswoman Corrine Brown and Congressman Ander Crenshaw say they are getting an earful from voters on health care reform.

Both are back on the First Coast during a summer recess that ends this month.

"Everyone should have certain basic coverage," says Brown, who supports the Democratic plan calling for government-sponsored insurance complimenting private insurance.

Brown says her concern is the nearly 50 million people who are uninsured.

When asked about the proposal for the government to offer health insurance, Brown pointed out the government is very much involved right now.

"If you look at Medicare, public option; VA (Veterans Administration), public option; Tri-Care, public option," said Brown.

Republican Ander Crenshaw says he's hearing from voters that more government involvement is not the answer.

"I think the government plan is merely the first step toward what they call a single-payer system," said Crenshaw. "It is government taking control over health care.

Crenshaw places the number of people who are uninsured and need help at about 12 million.

One way to improve the system, according Crenshaw, is tort reform that he says has doctors practicing "defensive medicine." That practice increases health care costs by $200 billion a year, says Crenshaw.

Crenshaw and Brown also differ on when Congress will vote on a health care package. Brown sees a vote by the end of the year, with Crenshaw not convinced it will happen that soon.

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