Here are a few reactions by those running for the U.S. House of Representatives seat being vacated by Congressman Zach Wamp.
Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble:
I agree that pre-existing conditions should not be a basis for denying health coverage. I support expanded groups to lower cost.
I support tax deductions for health insurance premiums and interstate competition. Consumers benefit from choice and competition.
Robin Smith:
Tonight, amid the typical soaring rhetoric and applause lines from President Obama, we found the same rigid dedication to a government solution when addressing the problems in America’s health care system. No matter how many different ways they package the message or reframe the debate, liberals continue to promote the approach that Americans have soundly rejected. Throughout the August Congressional recess, citizens stood up to say that turning over 1/6 of our nation’s economy to bureaucrats is not the way to reform health care.
Americans of all political views can agree that insurance needs to be more portable. The corrosive results of lawyers filing reckless and frivolous court actions for profit must be addressed. Insurance companies need to address the problem of preexisting conditions prohibiting the purchase of policies. Small businesses need to be given the freedom to work together to negotiate lower rates and reform should first give consumers more freedom to make decisions that best fit themselves and their families. Unfortunately the only people who seem not to understand this and remain fixated on government solutions are the president and the Pelosi Congress.
When it comes to our health care, Tennesseans need personal choices, not government options.
And, though it's not clear that he was directly addressing the topic, Greg Goodwin updated his status overnight thusly:
Where are the centrists? Our political system has become a system of extremes by the left and the right.
Our nation was formed on consensus, not division.
UPDATE: A couple more candidates have added their thoughts.
Chuck Fleischmann, as posted on Chattanoogan.com:
After an entire summer of the American people standing up at town hall meetings across this country and expressing their opposition to a government takeover of health care, President Obama stood before those very same Americans and endorsed a government takeover of health care. It is unfortunate that our President chooses not to listen to the voters of this country, and the majority of Americans that are satisfied with their health care coverage, who do not want government officials putting their fingerprints all over other people's well being.
By definition it is impossible for the government to bring fair competition to the playing field: it sets the rules — and there is a reason you never have seen, nor ever should see, the referee participating in a sporting event. It is estimated that a government run health care program could force over 100 million already insured Americans into the public system.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the proposed public option would add $1 trillion to our already exploding deficit, and many Democrats in the House and Senate have admitted that the public option is the first step to a single-payer health care system. This must not be allowed to happen, and America must be allowed to stay on the cutting edge of medical research and solutions.
True health care reform involves medical malpractice lawsuit reform, allowing citizens to shop for medical insurance across state lines, and less government intervention. Mr. President, please listen to the majority of Americans, and keep the government out of our health care.
Paula Flowers:
US health care reform must cover more Americans, provides more access to basic primary care, and not break the bank. There are solutions!
Joe Lance
mwillingham on Sept. 10, 2009
I don't know what history books Greg Goodwin has been reading, but there was just as much (if not more) division when this country was founded as there is now. Division, in and of itself, isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Margen Laratta on Sept. 10, 2009
Hm. Looks like I won't be voting for anyone, but especially not Robin Smith. I couldn't have written a response I agree with less.
Kordax on Sept. 10, 2009
I'm voting for Robin & giving her campaign $$$ as well -- excellent response ....
grundygreen on Sept. 10, 2009
Typical & predictable. Pity no one in government is talking about this elegant solution.
PS will we get a real choice in the 3rd district?
mwillingham on Sept. 11, 2009
No one is talking about that elegant solution because it won't work. Medicare is due to go broke in 2018. If you add "Part-E" it will die in about 10 seconds.
Margen Laratta on Sept. 11, 2009
The reason Medicare is so difficult to fund is because most of its constituents are older, sicker people who require expensive treatments and procedures. If you add a whole lot of relatively healthy people to that pool, that burden is relieved, because there are then many more people paying in who do not need tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of care.
Also, Medicare and the VA have the highest satisfaction ratings of any insurance program.
atrowbri on Sept. 12, 2009
There's really not that much division, the far right is just being especially loud and dumb on this issue. Loud, dumb and Talk Radio is about all they have to offer. Lucky for them, the media loves to cover controversy instead of what real human being want.
mwillingham on Sept. 12, 2009
Well, we'll just see what happens in 2010 and we'll see if you're right.
Jim Burns on Nov. 4, 2009
I'm leaning towards Tim Gobble I'm left leaning but Robin Smith has no political experience other than sniffing Neo-Con Zach Wamps Buttocks. She's far right leaning and as dumb as Sarah Palin. She'd be more of an embarrasment to Tennessee than Bachman is to Minnesota.