by James Oliphant
Wyoming, with an economy marked by farming, ranching and small businesses, has a disproportionate number of people without medical insurance. And by that measures and others, its people are among the likely winners, if Congress approves a health-care overhaul.
But if Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) was expecting a pat on the back from his constituents for working with some of his fellow senators to seek bipartisan agreement on the issue, he didn't get one.
Last week, Enzi hosted a town hall meeting in his home town of Gillette. And when he told the 500 people in the audience that he believed both sides could eventually strike a deal, it turned out that wasn't a popular thing to say.
A state legislator even stood up and demanded that Enzi pull out of the congressional talks altogether, and was widely applauded by the audience.
The scene in tiny Gillette was replicated in small towns across America last month, as images of red-faced, screaming taxpayers filled TV screens with criticism of pending health-care plans. And the clashes dramatized a conundrum faced by lawmakers such as Enzi who are seeking compromises:
Some of the most vociferous opposition to the proposals now before the House and Senate come from residents of rural states that could benefit most from revamping the present system.
"The states that tend to be more conservative have a higher rate of people who are uninsured," said Ron Pollack, executive director of FamiliesUSA, which advocates for a health-care overhaul. "As a result, health-care reform is going to provide a disproportionate amount of resources to those states."
In Wyoming, for example, nearly one out of three people under the age of 65 went without health insurance at some point during the last two years, according to Pollack's group. A huge majority of the uninsured have jobs, but they work for employers who don't provide coverage.
The problem pervades other rural states, as well, where a high percentage of employers are small businesses. While a consensus now exists in Congress for keeping the current employer-based system of medical insurance, that system is riddled with holes in coverage that disproportionately impact rural states.
In addition, both in the West and South, such states tend to set higher thresholds for Medicaid eligibility, leaving few options for low-income earners who can't afford the high cost of individual insurance coverage.
Moreover, residents of rural states often have lower incomes than those in other parts of the country. It's more difficult to find health-care providers. And they have little, if any, choice in the private insurance market, which is typically dominated by one or two companies in a region.
Given that reality, it may not be surprising that Senators from these states have been the most active in the effort to salvage a bipartisan compromise on healthcare. Sens. Max Baucus, a Democrat from Montana, and Charles Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, who hold top posts on the Senate Finance Committee, are part of a group of senators, along with Enzi, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico and Olympia Snow of Maine, still talking about a deal.
If they fail, the Democratic leadership in the Senate has threatened to ram a bill through without GOP backers.
While Enzi has said he wants to find common ground on healthcare, his public remarks have become more polarized during the congressional recess.
"The Democrats are trying to rush a bill through the process that will actually make our nation's finances sicker without saving you money," Enzi said during the GOP's weekly radio address Saturday.
Eric Wedell, a Wyoming physician and governor of the state chapter of the American College of Physicians, applauded Enzi's efforts to broker a compromise. Enzi "is continuing to work hard on healthcare reform because he knows we need it," Wedell said.
But another Wyoming physician, Timothy Hallinan, disagreed, saying no bill is better than the kind Enzi is negotiating. It was Hallinan, a state representative, who stood up at the meeting in Gillette and demanded Enzi stop working with Democrats.
"Perhaps Sen. Enzi will get the most egregious-- in his and my view-- items dropped through compromise. Nonetheless, the compromised bill will be going in the wrong direction and must be seen as a down payment on where the current majority plans to go, a complete takeover of medical practice by the federal government," Hallinan said.
"I would rather see no bill than that. I suspect that a large percentage of the American population agrees. I know that a big majority here in my district agrees with me."
While much attention has been focused on whether the ultimate legislation will provide for a government-run insurer or a series of private health cooperatives to help cover the uninsured, the bill is also expected to increase eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid, which could provide a lift to states like Wyoming.
"Things that are enormously important are getting less attention," lamented Pollack of FamiliesUSA. Rural, conservative states, he said, "are going to get the influx of new federal dollars."
But those opposed to the proposals, such as Hallinan, point to the cost. At current coverage levels, some estimates have Medicare and Medicaid spending pushing the country to record debt levels as early as 2026.
Others are simply nervous about increased government involvement in healthcare. While centralized government can often deliver health-care services more efficiently, said Diane Rowland, executive vice president of the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation, "it runs counter to perhaps the rugged individualism on which America is built--where everything is available for everybody. "
In Iowa, where almost 70 percent of those who are uninsured have jobs, Grassley has faced combative audiences in a series of town halls--to the extent that speculation has risen that he will pull out of negotiations once the Senate returns next month.
But Jack Hatch, a Democratic state senator from Des Moines, said much of the anger and uncertainty in Iowa has been directed at Wall Street bailouts, the stimulus, and other government spending.
"I've been to a half a dozen of these," Hatch said. "There are maybe 15 to 20 percent of the people who are just angry with everything. They're angry with their economic situation . . . They're afraid of any kind of deficit spending.
"When we shift to healthcare, there's a lot less noise and a lot more questions," said Hatch, who is part of a White House-led effort to enlist state legislators as advocates for the legislation.
But he admitted that opponents of the plans have succeeded in making Iowans nervous--and that supporters have to sharpen their message in states such as his.
"All we have to do is get the people to listen through the screams of this small minority," he said. "We have to be more vocal and fight back."
Comments
From Mr James Oliphant, another "journalist" who is biased and corrupt beyond belief, comes this: "as images of red-faced, screaming taxpayers filled TV screens"
Yes, Jim, continue to denigrate the people of this country. And folks in the media, particularly newspapers, wonder why readership is declining at alarming rates and newspapers are either closing up or filing for bankruptcy.
Posted by: John D | September 1, 2009 12:55 PM
"Red faced, screaming"? Journalists once again insult opponents of ObamaCare.
Meanwhile, HCAN ObamaCare supporters in Illinois are instructed to shout down opponents. The video is on youtube. Perhaps Mr. Oliphant would care to view it. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YtcmmYOesk&NR=1. See also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCPvT8lY3Lg.
It's there for everyone to see. Even journalists.
Posted by: Dissent is Patriotic | September 1, 2009 1:26 PM
Mike Enzi, just like all the other Repuglicans, is a bought and paid for tool of the Big Health Insurance Lobby:
Senator Mike Enzi's position among the top recipients of corporate PAC money, as compared to individual contributions from their own constituents:
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http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/08/real-problem-with-senates-small-state.html
What do these senators have in common? All 20 come from states with below-median populations. In fact, you have to go to #26 (John McCain) to find a senator from a state with an above-median population, and #30 (Saxby Chambliss) to find one from a state with an above-average population.
Posted by: Disgusted | September 1, 2009 1:42 PM
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From Mr James Oliphant, another "journalist" who is biased and corrupt beyond belief, comes this: "as images of red-faced, screaming taxpayers filled TV screen
Posted by: John D | September 1, 2009 12:55 PM
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I see Lil' Johnny DoughyPantload is doing what he does best again - denying reality.
These corporate sponored teabagger thugs who are being bussed in to purposely disrupt things, are taking away the opportunity for average Americans to discuss healthcare at townhalls with their law makers. If the Republicans actually had anything to contribute to the healthcare discussion they wouldn't have to hire teabagger thugs to perfom their fake outrage performance art all over the country.
Stephen Colbert EXPOSES the fake teabagger "protesters" for what they are - low income stooges for the Big Healthcare Lobby.
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http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/240728/august-04-2009/the-word---hippie-replacement
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Posted by: janet | September 1, 2009 1:54 PM
Meanwhile, HCAN ObamaCare supporters in Illinois are instructed to shout down opponents.
It's there for everyone to see. Even journalists.
Posted by: Dissent is Patriotic | September 1, 2009 1:26 PM
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Karma is a b*tch, Brucie.
Here's some must-see video from Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor's speech at a Tampa, Florida town hall co-hosted by the SEIU and State Rep. Betty Reed:
If you know anybody who's got doubts about the true nature of the anti-health care wingnut goons trying to disrupt health care town halls, have them watch this video. Let them see for themselves the truly infantile behavior of these angry wingnuts. They aren't interested in dialogue, debate, or discussion. All they want to do is hear their own voices scream, shouting down anybody with whom they happen to disagree.
The full speech is about fifteen minutes long. You can watch it here. The wingnut goons were trying to shout Castor down for almost the entire speech, and for at least five minutes of it, they made her nearly impossible to hear.
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http://www.dailykostv.com/w/002029/
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The Corporate Sponsored Wingnut Teabagger cretins are to stupid to know that they're hurting their own cause.
Posted by: Derrick | September 1, 2009 2:04 PM
The sparsely populated inter-mountain West needs healthcare reform more than any other part of the country, yet they seem to be most resistant to any kind of reform at all.
Many people I have worked with don't want insurance. They claim they are healthy!
Insanity.
They are just one appendix attack or car wreck away from a financial disaster that can haunt them, and the rest of us, for years to come. And one thing is for certain; You can't predict your healthcare needs.
We need single payer, so everyone is in and everyone pays something.
We aren't getting it. In fact, it looks like we will get no reform at all.
Note to America; The current system is unsustainable, and will break the US economy in just a few short years.
And guess what? The insurance companies, and their reps. in congress don't give a hoot in Hell.
Bankrupting America is just another profit center for them.
But I give credit where credit is due;
It looks like the T-Baggers, Barfers, gun toters, and town hall mobs have won. No reform, and bankruptcy here we come! Yay!
Congratulations!
Posted by: C.Morris✧ | September 1, 2009 2:16 PM
Basically Enzi is giving the finger to every American (Wyoming) who is dealing with the brutality of private insurers' astronomical premiums, recission, denial of care, arbitrary judgments, callous treatment of the sick, and profiteering. Enzi is boasting that he has prevented millions of Americans (Wyoming) from getting the care they need.
Enzi is just like his Republican cohort up in Alaska (Sarah Mooose Huntress), sucking up Federal Dollars at 10 times the rate of any other states, and then bitching and moaning about Duh Big Govmint. What a bunch of shameless, manipulative Wingnut weasels.
Posted by: Nevermind | September 1, 2009 2:26 PM
It looks like the short term political gain the Republican's gathered from calling Obama a Hitler, Stalin, Nazi, communist, socialist ... is going to bite them back. How can you negotiate with Hitler? If any Republican works with any Democrat his constituency will kick him out of office. Look at what is happening to Grassley and Enzi. Republican's are being shouted down in their own town hall meetings. In the next few political cycles the Republican party will move further to the right and become less viable. We will need a third party to replace the Republicans.
Posted by: pd | September 1, 2009 3:52 PM
Ahhhh, more nuggets of intelligence from Dumb Dumb Janet:
I see Lil' Johnny DoughyPantload is doing what he does best again - denying reality.
Oh Janet, dear, does that quarter-size wart on your nose and those little "ocean creatures" still scare away potential suitors?
Posted by: John D | September 1, 2009 5:12 PM
Wyoming is a tiny population of rich ranchers or plain ole' rich in Jackson Hole mansions. These crowds will never go along with the rest of the country. What's the beef ? Why bother even talking to Enzi.
This is not a working class Mid-West state, and the few working poor in Wy have no voice in their politics.
Ignore
Posted by: Hank | September 1, 2009 5:59 PM
As a former rural person myself (lived in a small town in Maine until I was 22) I wonder if the rural opposition that Oliphant writes about stems from those people being used to doing for themselves, are proud of being able to do for themselves, and are distrustful of government coming to them and offering to solve all of their problems for them. The sense of self-sufficiency is more powerful to them than the potential benefits of which Oliphant writes.
Posted by: DaveB | September 1, 2009 9:43 PM
people being used to doing for themselves, are proud of being able to do for themselves, and are distrustful of government coming to them and offering to solve all of their problems for them. The sense of self-sufficiency is more powerful to them than the potential benefits of which Oliphant writes.
Posted by: DaveB | September 1, 2009 9:43 PM
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Wyoming gets more federal tax dollars than almost every other state in the Union.
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http://www.stateline.org/live/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=136&languageId=1&contentId=14787
So much for the ole' "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" BS Repug talking point.
Posted by: Ted | September 1, 2009 10:52 PM
Ted, where does that money go?
Wyoming has a lot of federal land (Yellowstone, various national forests, preserves, and grasslands, etc) but has a low population (50th among 50 in population, in fact). The per-capita federal spending that the article relies on tends to show high figures for thinly populated states such as Wyoming.
Probably many people in Wyoming work for the federal government. It's a job, just as you and I have. That they work for the government doesn't necessarily mean that they want the government to take care of their every need, just as you and I (or at least I) don't want our employers to take care of our every need.
You've got to look deeper than just the nearest Web site that seems to support your point of view!
Posted by: DaveB | September 2, 2009 8:51 AM
It's the same stupid argument, today, about the uninsured and the underinsured, as it was about people on welfare, yesteryear. They want it that way !! The Republican/Libertarian nonsense, knows no bounds, or should I say, the money that they are pulling in, to pay for the disrupting "dissenters", who oppose President Obama's call for healthcare reform, knows no bounds !!
The Healing Healthcare Corps want to thank everyone, for allowing them to corrupt our politicians and our democracy. They say: Please keep those dollar bills coming, we need to corrupt more politicians and disable America's democratic process!! That way, healthcare will be buried for another 50 years, along with all of our clients, who couldn't afford us !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | September 2, 2009 11:25 AM
As far as the 'doing for yourself' arguments against reforming healthcare;
You can't do your own heart bypass or hernia repair surgery.
It's a fact; The intermountain Western states need a public option, or regulated private insurance mandates in the the area of healthcare.
Posted by: C.Morris✧ | September 2, 2009 12:38 PM
C. Morris, you've provided a great example of taking something and twisting it around to mean something that was never intended.
No one is suggesting do-it-yourself major surgery. It is, however, reasonable to expect people who are used to being self-reliant to be a little distrustful of someone who says, "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you," particularly when the help offered is some that they didn't ask for in the first place.
Posted by: DaveB | September 2, 2009 6:14 PM
DaveB,
But the privateers in the insurance industry are not getting it done. They are shoving the country into private bankruptcy in a few years as it is.
I couldn't care less if a robust public option eliminated the private insurers.
They had their chance, for 30 years, and proved themselves unworthy of our trust.
Yes, I would trust a government plan over the private plans.
Posted by: C.Morris✧ | September 3, 2009 8:49 AM
Enzi looks like he has one foot in the grave already.
Which makes him the perfect spokesman for the Repuglican non-plan for health care.
Posted by: ornery | September 3, 2009 10:25 AM
Yeah, DaveB, that's what those firefighters said on 9/11:
We're from the government & we're here to help you."
That's what those crews who flew the B-24's over Germany, Romania, France, Italy, etc. said to Roosevelt in 1943:
"We're here to serve you."
Right-o, DaveB
Posted by: ornery | September 3, 2009 9:07 PM