Rehberg unclear on health care reform

Editor:

So Rep. Denny Rehberg — Republican U.S. Senate candidate running against Big Sandy's Sen. Jon Tester — has had his public life made "more complicated than normally" in the extra effort he is taking to put the Obamacare health care plan into action. According to his local presentation, reported Friday ("Rehberg: Let's have a serious talk on health care," page 1), he is doing his best to put together the money and take care of "some unanswered questions" that must be cleared up so the bill will be most effective. Gee, Obama must be grateful to Denny!

Of course, he goes on to say we can't and shouldn't do anything until the U.S. Supreme Court decides on the constitutionality of Obamacare, a decision projected for this summer after the court's current term. So we are to understand that national health care is law. But we mustn't do much about paying attention to it or funding it or putting it into effect until 2012. At this rate, I guess, we do nothing about Obamacare until well after the fall election of about 2020.

Talk about eating your cake's frosting but ignoring your starving kids! Denny voted against the bill and against its funding. Right now today, he says, he's doing his best by way of his committee assignment to round up money for the bill. But we won't apply the law or gain it adequate funding — until after the Supreme Court decides what they will or won't do with it.

At one point in the story, Rehberg is referred to as saying, among the four outcomes possible to the Supreme Court decision is to end "expansion of Medicaid." Does that mean no new patients will be accepted under Medicaid at all? Nice move, Denny! From what you say, we have no way of knowing clearly what you think or will vote for in terms of ending or funding Medicaid.

How about Medicare? Denny goes on to say that we'll consider the "impact" on "Medicare and other programs." So where does Denny stand? And where will he vote on health care? From what he says, we have no idea about his positions or votes on any national health care matters.

At least his opponent, Jon Tester, is clear! He supports our national health care programs.

Bill Thackeray

Havre