Health care reform dominates Rehberg visit

POLSON — Frustrations and suggestions flowed freely on Thursday, when Congressman Denny Rehberg visited Polson during an ongoing swing through the state to gather information about health care.

As with many other of the Congressman’s more than 16 state listening sessions, talk center almost solely on the reform of the American system, and the worries constituents had about what is to come.

“I’m here just to listen,” Rehberg told St. Joseph Medical Center professionals and board members, “to your opinions about what should be done in health care reform.”

The rapid progression of bills currently making their way through Congress is alarming, Dr. Kelly Bagnell said.

Doctors are already fighting daily to wade through the barrage of Medicare and Medicaid paperwork, Bagnell said. The addition of a government option will only add to the exasperation to the already backed-up system.

“Frankly, I tell people not to go into medicine,” she said. 

The rationing health care is already a reality in Lake County. It’s worse in Canada, Dr. Dan Rausch told Rehberg, but more regulation is not the answer.

“The best thing we can do is empower the people and let them make their decisions (about their health care),” he said.

Tort reform, too, should be built into the bill, the doctors told the senators. An increasing amount of time is spent by doctors trying to avoid of malpractice suits. It’s sucking time and resources away from quality medical care.

This “defensive medicine” needs to be addressed, Dr. Steve Irwin said. But it’s nowhere to be found in the plans in Washington now.

“I could never support a bill, regardless of how strong it is, if it doesn’t have tort reform,” Irwin said.

The Congressman called the bills making their way through Congress “vague” and “open-ended.” As it stands now, the bill could have shocking and unintended consequences, Rehberg said. 

Rehberg agreed the quick timeline to push a reform through will ultimately hurt the country.

“I wish we would have had an hour (with Rehberg),” Bagnell said after the meeting. “Medicine is stressful and Congress is making it more stressful.”

During an afternoon stop at the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Health clinic, talk centered more around absolute need for medical care to be provided to all Indians.

As Rehberg toured the old Tribal health services facility, director Kevin Howlett outlined the frustrations of trying to operate a clinic within the cramped walls of the current building.

More than 300 prescriptions are filled in the pharmacy each day, and there is virtually no room for privacy, Howlett said. The brand-new, bigger building going up next to the old facility is being funded largely by third-party donations.

It’s a start, but still a “work in progress,” and more federal help is needed to provide quality health care to Indians, Howlett said.

Howlett said it was necessary for Rehberg to begin supporting the new Indian Health Care Bill so necessary funds can become available.

Rehberg acknowledged the merit of portions of the bill, but said he couldn't support some parts.

Politics from the other side, play a large part in some contention with the bill, he said.

Outside, as Rehberg viewed the new building construction, he said it was good for him to be able to see, touch and smell the progress.