MO U.S. Rep. not behind new health care proposals - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

MO U.S. Rep. not behind new health care proposals

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    Overnight storms caused major damage to the Alexander County Courthouse in Cairo.According to the Cairo Police Department, a portion of the roof was blown about 2 block away.We have a crew headed to the scene.Stay with Heartland News on air and kfvs12.com for more details as they become available. Copyright 2013 KFVS. All rights reserved.
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by Heartland News

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo (KFVS) -- A Missouri Democrat is breaking ranks with his fellow lawmakers and opposing a government option for health care.

Congressman Ike Skelton says he's against a government option. Skelton announced he was opposed to several of the proposed health care plans pending in the House of Representatives during a telephone conference call Thursday evening.

Skelton's comments came on the same day that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said things are changing and the case is growing stronger for allowing the government to sell health insurance in competion with private companies.

Skelton said he's worried a government option could drive private insurance companies out of business.

Skelton said he's also worried the plans being considered in the house could hurt Medicare, leading to large cuts in the program. He said he's also concerned a government option would hurt rural health care providers.

Skelton's announcement also comes on a day when the Chairman of the Senate Finance committee said every Democrat in the Senate will support a bill that overhauls the nations health care system.

Senator Max Baucus said lawmakers have a moral obligation to repair the health care system to rein in costs and extend coverage to millions of the uninsured.

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