Local News
Loebsack sees trouble for health bill
Touts job creation as top issue for Congress in 2010
OTTUMWA — The changing fortunes of federal health care legislation are clear when you talk with U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack.
Six months ago, Loebsack was crowing about Medicare reimbursement as a part of the bill. The compromise sought to alter how states are reimbursed, bringing more money to Iowa health care providers.
It was and is a safe argument for Iowa politicians. The reimbursement rates have long been a target for criticism from both sides of the aisle.
For Loebsack, a Democrat, it was a chance to flex some political muscle on a national issue. That it played well to voters was clearly also on his mind.
Six months ago, health care was one of the first things Loebsack brought up in visits to Ottumwa. It wasn’t that high on the list during a visit to the Courier this week. What looked like a sure thing in July is now in doubt as Democrats face a series of setbacks at the ballot box.
Loebsack remains convinced Congress can do some good with the legislation, though he’s not sure what form it will wind up taking in order to get through. Whatever the final result, he said it must include changes to Medicare reimbursement.
“I’m hopeful that we will have something in the next few months,” he said. “It’s uncertain at this point. But it is critical.”
Loebsack also says “a clear majority” of the people he met with in townhall meetings around the district support the basic concepts in health care reform legislation. Items like eliminating pre-existing conditions and limits on lifetime benefits enjoy support, including from some Republicans.
Just how Congress moves the bill forward is much less clear. Loebsack sees little chance of the House passing the Senate’s version of the bill. Congressional leaders have also put the bill on the back burner for now.
Loebsack touts jobs as the top issue for this year. He ties efforts to create jobs or bring jobs to Iowa to education, traditionally a strong point for the state. He sees a role for government in making modest investments that help local businesses and residents find solutions.
“The idea is not for government to come in and decide what is going to happen,” he said. “That’s not the idea and that shouldn’t happen.”
Any progress on major initiatives is complicated by this fall’s elections. Republicans are buoyed by recent wins in Virginia, Massachusetts and New Jersey. But polls suggest there is strong antipathy toward any incumbent, not just Democrats. As the incumbent in the second district, that poses some risk for Loebsack.
Loebsack easily topped each of his challengers for fundraising in end-of-the-year reports filed Sunday. But he is not cocky about his chances.
“It’s a challenging environment for anyone in Congress, to tell the truth,” he said.
Matt Milner can be reached at (641) 683-5359 or via e-mail at mmilner@ottumwacourier.com
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