Published: July 16, 2009 11:12 am      

Hill weighing health care reform plan

Rep. Baron Hill said he won’t be rushed to judgment when considering any health care reform package.

The America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 was made available to U.S. House members Tuesday, and the Indiana Democrat said his position on the House Energy and Commerce Committee affords him the opportunity to offer ways of altering the bill.

“Does this legislation place an emphasis on addressing the ills of our current health care system? Does the bill focus on containing costs and thwarting the sharp increases in health care costs Hoosier families have experienced over the last several years? Does the bill increase the quality of care available while expanding effective and affordable health care for every American?” were some of the questions Hill stated in a news release he would ponder.

On Tuesday, Democratic leadership in the House promised to support President Barack Obama’s health care goals by presenting a $1.5 trillion plan for a vote before their August break.

On Wednesday, the Senate Health Committee OK’d expanding insurance coverage to most Americans, as it marked the first time a congressional body voted on Obama’s plan.

That plan would leave health care providers, business owners and upper-class taxpayers to cover the majority of the measure’s cost, as the bill would require individuals to get health insurance.

“If you lose your job, change your job or start a new business, you’ll still be able to find quality health insurance that you can afford,” Obama said.

Opponents of the president’s plan have been calling foul since momentum for passing health care legislation started gaining steam last month.

The National Republican Congressional Committee has been one of the stiffest adversaries of the plan, saying it would tax small business owners and further damage the economy.

“Hill cannot have it both ways,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “He can choose to stand with middle-class Indiana families or he will cave to his party bosses with a vote to raise taxes on small businesses, force millions of Americans off of their current coverage and potentially destroy 5 million American jobs.”

Hill said he’ll speak with Southern Indiana hospital executives today to get their thoughts on the health care plan.

“I am deeply committed to reforming our broken system for the better, but will not be rushed to judgment on something so serious,” he said. “This is a weighty issue that affects all Americans and, as such, merits significant time for consideration and review.”

Reports from the Associated Press contributed to this story