Chamber News

Boucher Says Health Plan Shifting to Co-operative Alternative.

Aug. 20-Rick Boucher met with constituents at Abingdon, VA and discussed the Health Care alternatives. It was Town Hall Meeting similar to the one in Dublin, VA 2 days prior

Source: Roanoke Times About 1,200 people attended a three-hour town hall meeting today in Abingdon, as U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher continued to share his thoughts on health care reform with voters in Southwest Virginia. Today’s meeting, at Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, was the second held this week by Boucher, a Democrat from Abingdon. Boucher was in Dublin Tuesday where another large crowd gathered to question the congressman about health care reform. “Many of the same subjects that were raised in Dublin were raised today,� Boucher said after the meeting. “This is all part of a long-term process in which we seek to explain the various changes that are needed.� As in Dublin, Boucher invited several experts from the health care community to offer insight into the issues facing hospitals, doctors and patients. Those on stage with Boucher included: Dennis Vonderfecht, CEO of Mountain States Health Alliance in Tennessee, Mike Snow, CEO of Wellmont Health System in Tennessee, Sean McMurray, CEO of Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, Dr. Jerry Miller, president and founder of Holston Medical Group in Kingsport Tenn., and Mary Wakefield with the Health Resources Services Administration in Washington, DC. The Abingdon meeting drew individuals as well as those associated with various organizations. People affiliated with both liberal and conservative groups carried signs, wore T-shirts and sought to advocate for their beliefs about the numerous proposals associated with an overhaul of the nation’s health care system. Some people traveled from outside Boucher’s congressional district to learn more about the topic and listen to the crowd. “I really will go home and digest all of what I’ve heard here,� said Ruth Musser, of Bristol, Tenn. “I’m really struggling with these issues. I came here today all about the public option and now I’m thinking I need to learn about the co-op.� Recently support has been growing to create nonprofit co-operatives as an alternative to a government-run insurance plan. Boucher said “It simply isn’t feasible,� for a public plan to pass the Senate and that he believes the debate is shifting toward embracing the co-operative alternative.