news
He used the occasion to restate his opposition to health care legislation making its way through Congress. The Republican from Tupelo said a better approach would be to fix what's broken with the current system, not initiate a complete overhaul.
"I've been in Congress more than 15 years, and this has been the most important issue of my entire tenure," Wicker said.
The Senate version of the health care bill passed over his "no" vote, and has gone to conference committee to be reconciled with the House-passed version.
Wicker pinpointed several ways he believes the bill is doomed to fail:
* The country does not need to turn over one-sixth of the nation's economy to the federal government by implementing this bill.
* Both the Senate version, at about $2.5 trillion over 10 years, and the House version, at about $3 trillion over 10 years, are very expensive bills, and despite statements to the contrary, the bills are not paid for.
* The government option contained in the House version of the bill is destined to drive private insurers out of business and result in a government-run health plan over time.
Among those agreeing with Wicker's comments were Magnolia Regional Health Center CEO Rick Napper, who has conducted two town hall meetings to oppose the health care bills.
Napper predicted Medicaid requirements the legislation would impose on states would force a dozen Mississippi hospitals to close immediately after it took effect.
Wicker noted that it had been four years since he spoke to a similar combined group of Corinth civic clubs. However, many of the individuals were among groups who hosted him during campaign events when he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and during his Senate campaign.
Contact Lena Mitchell at (662) 287-9822 or lena.mitchell@djournal.com.
ho hum, just another day in washington...until there is nothing and no one left to fleece
The press release below is one of several that exhaults Senator Wickers ability to get money for hospitals.
Now we are investigating how much money hospitals, health groups, et. al donated to Senator Wicker.
Too, yes anyone can use the facility IF THEY CAN AFFORD THE DRUGS.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
WASHINGTON – The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education spending bill, legislation that includes $500,000 for Memorial Hospital in Gulfport, funding secured by U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker.
The funds are designated to assist with the build-out and renovation of space within Memorial’s medical office building to establish a medical oncology clinic. The clinic will provide urgently-needed medical oncology services to all citizens of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, regardless of their ability to pay.
“Currently, Medicaid and uninsured cancer patients must choose between treatment at qualified clinics three hours away or delayed treatment as they wait for a bed to become available at Memorial,” Sen. Wicker said. “These funds will help open a new clinic with the capacity to treat more than 900 cancer patients in its first year of operation, helping Memorial Hospital remain one of the Gulf Coast’s premier cancer centers. I look forward to working with Sen. Cochran to ensure this important funding is advanced as this bill moves through the remainder of the legislative process.”
Gary Marchand, President and CEO of Memorial Hospital, was pleased with the news from Sen. Wicker’s office. "The awarding of these funds by the Senate will allow Memorial to expand our cancer services to improve access to cancer treatments for the residents of our community,” Marchand said. “We will continue to move forward with our plans for the development of a new outpatient chemotherapy clinic."
The 2009 Labor-HHS appropriations bill has cleared the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension committee and now awaits consideration by the full Senate.