Gogebic Community College Hosts Congressman Stupak

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, MI - by Keri Singleton - Wednesday, January 6, 2010 - Tuesday evening brought out many locals to listen to, and question, Congressman Bart Stupak, holding a town-hall meeting in the cafeteria of The Lindquist Center at Gogebic Community College, located in Ironwood, Michigan.

Congressman Stupak welcomed everybody to the meeting, encouraging people to take part in phone town-hall meetings, something he has recently started. People were encouraged to speak to members of the staff after the meeting, if an issue was too personal to bring up in front of all assembled.

Starting his eighteenth year in Washington, Congressman Stupak said they have never tackled more contentious issues in such a short amount of time, adding that action is being taken. The issues now are health care, the economic state of the country, and the wars being fought.

Equal pay for equal work has been made law, giving men and women equal pay for the same work done, expanded S-chip, giving 10 million more children in this country, also the stimulus package was passed, which Congressman Stupak told the group he supported. He said the stimulus package created or sustained a lot of jobs, gave money for infrastructure, adding that some parts of the western end of the U.P. still have wooden pipes. He added that they expect the auto industry to pay back the loans they were given. Unemployment has had two extensions, and another is in the works. The Jobs Mainstreet Bill was passed, and will provide 100% funding from the federal government for roads and bridges. Congressman Stupak told the assembly that last year, Michigan had to leave 600 million dollars on the table for highway projects because they didn’t have the 20% matching funds. The bill was passed in The House in late December. The Bill is pending in The Senate, and would create or retain about 23,000 jobs. 27-28 billion dollars would come from the trust fund. There is also money for law enforcement and clean water, and teaching jobs, as well as extending Cobra.

Congressman Stupak said it is done with jobs and health care because it’s all related, “We are all one illness or accident away from bankruptcy.”

Health care is the number one issue in Congress right now. The Congressman then gave a power point presentation. Highlights include: Blue Cross/Blue Shield has raised their rates from 20-40% this year, with basic zero inflation. In the last seven years, health insurance went up 78%, and wages went up 4.6%. He said they are trying to provide affordable, accessible health care for all Americans. Congressman Stupak went to briefly explain the new health care plan in the power point demonstration. Noone will be forced to take the public option; rather, it provides competition for the large companies. Illegal immigrants will not be covered. About half the country receives government-sponsored health care right now. Veterans will be exempt from the law. Offenders, not having coverage, will be subject to IRS penalties. Medicare will remain the same. Everything dealing with the Bill can be found on the online at http://www.house.gov/stupak.com.

A question and answer period followed, with many locals asking pertinent questions, ranging from health care, to jobs, to forced insurance, to rights of accused terrorists. He said if you are in this country, regardless of origin, you are entitled to rights as guaranteed by the Constitution.

In answer to a question about torte reform, Congressman Stupak said Michigan has the strictest torte reform laws in the nation. Michigan is the only state where if a drug harms you, you can’t sue. Michigan has some of the highest malpractice rates in the country.

An audience member stated that he doesn’t know where it says in the Constitution that healthcare coverage is mandatory. Congressman Stupak quoted Article 1 Section 8, where it says(paraphrase) “Government must provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States.” The Congressman replied that if one gets sick, Grand View is expected to be there, and yes, you should pay something. The audience member, young, self-employed, good health, asked why he should have to pay for someone else’s health care, if he doesn’t expect someone else to say for his? Congressman Stupak quoted an exorbitant price for a CAT scan(over 200,000), and asked if said member would be able to pay for the scan that day. The audience responded with protests.

A member of the audience said the plan should be run by the state, not the federal government. Congressman Stupak laid a bet that if it passes; someone will sue, and be met with a quote from the Constitution, Article 1, Section 8, dealing with the common good. He encouraged everyone to see what the final bill looks like, to which someone asked if he had read it. Congressman Stupak replied that he had, all 2200 pages of it.

Another member brought up that that they read Mayo Clinic will no longer accept Medicare. Congressman Stupak said Mayo is in favor of the Bill.

Medicaid was on the mind of another audience member. His spouse suffers with Alzheimer’s, and he had to get rid of assets to qualify for Medicaid. He was wondering how long the process takes for Medicaid to kick in and pay the bills. Congressman Stupak told the man Medicaid can go back 5 years to make sure no funds are hidden. He asked what to do, and was eventually told that after the meeting, his papers/bills would be looked at.

When asked about taking a pledge to accept the new health care plan, Congressman Stupak told the group he never accepted the federal health care package, and will continue to have his insurance through the State of Michigan, largely due to his pre existing condition. He said after the Bill passes, he will see what is available to him, and may or may not accept it.

In response to a question about supporting copper mining, he does support it, with concern about sulfide mining.

Congressman Stupak said to get this passed, it has to be before April, or lack support to get it passed in the future.

GCC President Jim Lorenson thanked Congressman Stupak for coming, and sharing perceptions. He closed on a positive note, expressing gratitude for a grant received for $300,000 for Gogebic, and for the broadening and expanding of the Pell Grant. The Pell Grant allows many students to receive higher education who otherwise could not.

Congressman Stupak thanked everyone for coming.