Posted by
Billy email MADBillyD@aol.com on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 1:00:04 PM
Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa swapped gavels last week, taking over as chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and giving up his chairmanship of the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee.
Harkin said he made an agreement with Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., who had been running the health committee while its chairman, Sen. Edward Kennedy, battled brain cancer. Kennedy died Aug. 25.
Harkin cited his ability to make deals with Republicans, as Kennedy was known to do, but he also staked out a strong position for including a public option insurance plan in the pending legislation.
Many Republicans have said a public option would pave the way to a government takeover of health care, which they oppose.
Harkin said that without a public option, the bill would improve the current situation only incrementally and that insurance companies would continue making large profits at the expense of everyday people seeking affordable coverage.
“Public option has to be a part of this bill,” Harkin said after announcing that he was taking over the health committee.
Harkin helped craft two major farm bills while heading the Agriculture Committee, and he has worked tirelessly to protect and expand government support for biofuels, particularly corn-based ethanol.
(The voters and the tax payers of America have been in Townhall meetings around the nation telling their leaders who last time I checked worked for them they don't want the "Public option. However Harkin like President Obama and other Democrtas act like they don't care what we think. There are things our leaders could do to help Americans with health care but you don't get rid of the best health care system in the world or as I wrote in a letter to my local just because there is bad water in the tub doesn't mean you get rid of the baby. I hope all you voters are watching how those who are elected are not caring what we think. All of us should remember this the next time they are up for election. Read more about Tom Harkin wanting to force the Public option on us if we want it or not
Harkin takes health helm, firm stand on public option.)