Healthcare Debate Heats Up: Part 4

Two of Tennessee's legislators sound off about health care reform. Both agree changes need to be made to a system failing many Americans. But they don't see eye to eye on how the change should happen.

While Marsha Blackburn and Steve Cohen both deny health care reform conversations have turned political, but they both agree change is necessary. The question they debate: should government be involved? One says yes, and the other says, absolutely not.

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From her appearances on television to town hall meetings around the state, Republican Marsha Blackburn has been vocal, if not outspoken, on health care reform.

Marsha Blackburn, who represents District 7, says "basically, what we have before us, the tri-committee bill was written by the leadership in the house, it is a Washington-centric bill, it is a government-centric bill, and it puts government at the center of healthcare. And what we want to see if the patient at the center of healthcare, and the patient at the center of medical care."

Blackburn's approach to change is that government needs to step out of doctor's offices and hospitals.

"What we know from our constituents is first of all, they do not want a government run, government ensured, government financed, government delivered healthcare system. They want to retain the ability to make those decisions about their healthcare themselves," says Blackburn.

Democrat Steve Cohen says Blackburn is ignoring the fact that government already plays a role in healthcare.

Steve Cohen, who represents the 9th district, says "government plays a role in healthcare now with the Veteran's Hospital, with Tri-Care for the military, with Medicaid and Medicare, with subsidizing medical schools and residency programs."

Cohen is under the impression the government needs to play an even larger role to guarantee the healthcare sector doesn't eat up more of the economy. And, Cohen says they need to ensure healthcare is rendered properly.

"This is uniquely an American plan to make cost more affordable render quality care to more people, but to save money for the entire system, and to rescue our economy from a failing health system that is too, too, too expensive, and that we can no longer afford."

Cohen and Blackburn agree legislators need to look at cost and insurance accountabilities.

"Well, they've rendered the service for many years, but their profits have gone up in a large fashion, the executive salaries average around $10m," says Cohen.

"That cost needs to be addressed and you do that by looking at consumer driven, free market solutions, not government solutions," counters Blackburn.

Blackburn favors consumer incentives in the new plan.

Blackburn suggests "right now, we have 90 percent of working adults who are under age 65 who are insured by their employer and the benefit accrues to the employer, and it might be the way to go, to look at having that benefit accrue to the individual."

Cohen doesn't go that far, but in the end, both hope members of congress can reach a bi-partisan proposal because both sides admit there is a problem.

Members of Congress return for the fall battle over health care reform next week. Stay with FOX13 news on how the discussions and proposals will affect us here in the Mid-South.