Garrett talks healthcare on WNYC

by: Jason Springer

Wed Aug 05, 2009 at 06:20:37 PM EDT

Congressman Scott Garrett appeared on the Brian Lehrer show on WNYC for an interview talking about the healthcare legislation in Congress and why he says he opposes it. Here's a sampling of what he had to say:

But Congressman Scott Garrett, a Republican from northern New Jersey, says the government-backed medical coverage for the elderly is doing a bad job. He says it should not be a model for broader coverage, in part, because it pays providers too little.
GARRETT: A lot of doctors who have been in the business and who?re getting out of the business say, "I can't make any money on this. I'm not gonna shift any more. I'm gonna get out of the business."
Garrett told WNYC's Brian Lehrer that private insurers have much higher administrative costs than Medicare, because they provide much more helpful consumer information than the government does.

I particularly like the part of his answer where he says the private insurers provide more consumer info and that's why their administrative costs are higher, while at the same time the GOP rails against how ineffective the government program is. Here's what the House Energy and Commerce committee says the healthcare bill Garrett opposes would mean to his district:

America?s Affordable Health Choices Act would provide significant benefits in the 5th Congressional District of New Jersey: up to 20,400 small businesses could receive tax credits to provide coverage to their employees; 9,400 seniors would avoid the donut hole in Medicare Part D; 900 families could escape bankruptcy each year due to unaffordable health care costs; health care providers would receive payment for $51 million in uncompensated care each year; and 33,000 uninsured individuals would gain access to high-quality, affordable health insurance. Congressman Scott Garrett represents the district.

Here's the interview, which is over 20 minutes:

Jason Springer :: Garrett talks healthcare on WNYC

Tags: Scott Garrett, nj-5, NJ5, healthcare, (All Tags)

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Garrett talks healthcare on WNYC | 1 comments

Garrett needs to make up his mind (0.00 / 0)

First he says that doctors are "getting out of the business" because they can't make any money. Then this from the Star-Ledger:

Garrett, a four-time congressman who is also a member of the House Budget Committee, also said mandatory health insurance could reduce the quality of health care because more doctors would be needed to provide care for the millions of people who are currently uninsured.

Either doctors are going to get out of the business, or more doctors will be needed. Which is it?

by: frailamerica @ Thu Aug 06, 2009 at 09:51:00 AM CDT