"I'm scared our businesses will close" because of rising health-care premiums, said Rebecca Telzak,
who was speaking on behalf of Sherriann Cumberbatch, a Port Richmond Laundromat owner who
could not attend the session.
She said Ms. Cumberbatch, a leader in Small Business United for Health Care, a non-profit coalition,
favors a public plan to compete with insurance companies. Such competition could force private
insurers to slash employers' health-care costs, she said.
"I'm disappointed with the president waffling on the public
option," said Richard Currie, a retired English professor from the College of Staten Island.
McMahon expressed doubts, saying that he was concerned about whether a public plan could stand on
its own and pay for itself.
And McMahon said bill doesn't address a key issue for countless small businesses: Their obligation to
offer health-care even if the employee's spouse has family coverage through another plan.
BANKRUPTING INSURERS?
Dr. Philip Otterbeck, of Richmond, said he feared a government-run plan could drive private insurers
out of the market, and could lead some seniors to be denied procedures because they are "too old or
too sick."
Dr. Otterbeck, a specialist in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism, said Obama also needs to
discuss tort reform, which includes capping medical malpractice awards, as a way to cut medical
costs.
McMahon said he supports such talks, but noted that similar caps in Texas have not lowered costs
there.
Meanwhile, he said the debate often overlooks a critical issue: Educating consumers about medical
costs, coverage options and preventive care.
Currie, 67, said he recently underwent knee-replacement surgery, with Medicare covering nearly all
of his costs.
"How did that sit on the hospital's ledger?" said McMahon, who noted that Medicare doesn't
reimburse hospitals penny for penny, so the institution must make up the difference.
McMahon said a system that removes nearly the entire payment burden from consumers doesn't give
them an incentive to take better care of themselves or choose less expensive -- but equally effective --
medical options.
Page 94 of 179
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