Sen. Ranker
I wasn’t able to, unfortunately, because I was covering the city of Bellingham’s public hearing on the 2010 budget proposal.
Ranker said the meeting went well, with more than 200 in attendance.
“It was packed,” he said. “The max occupancy in the room was 230. I don’t ‘think we were there, but we were probably close. It was a really informative and positive evening.”
The senator said he got as much out of the event as perhaps anyone in attendance, because he’s less knowledgeable on healthcare issues. Ranker is known more for his expertise on environmental issues, particularly when it comes to coastal and ocean issues.
But on hand at the meeting were the chairwomen of both the state House and Senate committees that address healthcare, Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, and Rep. Eileen Cody, D-Seattle. Ranker said they were the experts who knew how national healthcare reform would impact state residents.
People at the event wrote down their questions and Ranker facilitated the meeting by reading the questions. They were determined to read as many questions as possible, and he said that he got about two-thirds through all that were submitted. Ranker said his staff tried to ensure that there was a balance of questions asked from various points of view, whether liberal or conservative. One person asked about the constitutionality of national healthcare reform, and that question was asked, Ranker said.
“The one asking me if I was a communist, I didn’t read that one,” he said, laughing.
But some conservatives who spoke to him after the meeting, he said, found the event productive.
“We were focusing on facts instead of getting caught up in the hype,” the senator said.
With federal legislation being approved perhaps by the end of this year, if not within a few weeks, Ranker said now state officials are poised to make decisions on spending and resources that come to the state.
“We need to make decisions to make sure we’re positioned well to receive those resources,” he said.
While the state may not know the full details of the bill — they’re still being worked out in Congress, after all — they do have a “good idea,” he said, and he thanked U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., for their work on the bill on behalf of the state.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:12 PM
I post at 11:14 and you post at 11:14
I also posted a list of health insurance reform benefits for residents of the 2nd Congressional District, as provided by Senator Ranker and his staff.
It was an informative townhall meeting!
November 24th, 2009 at 1:20 PM
ST and Madam E having a dega vue moment today surely makes it a Bizarro Whatcom County this morning!?
AFY!!thesheepdog!!!
November 24th, 2009 at 1:30 PM
It was a wonderful meeting. Lots of questions got addressed. It was so refreshing to be at a health care reform meeting where we actually discussed the details of health care reform instead of yelling or name calling. It was a respectful crowd and I was glad I went.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Sen. Ranker should be commended for organizing and participating in this event. Having politicians, a doctor and a business owner on the panel was genius. We heard from the full spectrum, and interestingly, there were no reasons presented which would make anyone not want to move forward with some form of healthcare reform. The crowd was civil and intent on getting their questions answered. The only outburst came from two “right-wingers” in the back who were talking loudly and when politely asked to be quiet or take their conversation outside, left saying that they had heard enough of “this socialist b.s.” Thank you Sen. Ranker for taking action!
November 24th, 2009 at 2:09 PM
This important meeting not making the “front page” of the Bellingham Herald website is a disgrace to the paper and the citizens of Whatcom County. There’s no valid excuse for not covering this event!
November 24th, 2009 at 2:21 PM
I think it’s great but since there is no bill,
and details haven’t been resolved,
aren’t you just a bit early to be answering any questions?
November 24th, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Boris - the Bellingham City Council held a public hearing last night on the city’s $187.8 million 2010 budget, which includes tapping $7.9 million in reserves and a property tax increase. It slashes city expenditures by 13 percent year-over-year.
In terms of news judgment and coverage, I made the decision that it was more important to cover a local item as opposed to the healthcare town hall, which I did write about both here on the blog and in print to let the public know they had the opportunity to attend. And it appears they did.
Unfortunately I can’t be everywhere at once, though that would be fantastic. I do appreciate your concern.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:46 PM
For a look at some other country’s health care systems, the pros and cons of those systems and how they compare to United States Health care system read T.R. Reid’s “The Healing of America”. After reading this book it is hard for me to understand how anyone would not consider trying to improve what we have by trying portions of these systems. They all look better than ours. Most of us know that the main barrier to improving out healthcare system is the private insurance companies, the drug companies and their hold over the politicians. I am hoping those Republicans that are having trouble keeping decent health care coverage would take a chance and read Reid’s book and other books on this health care problem and join those of us that really need an improved health care system.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:49 PM
That’s a great book and a perfect example of facts in the face of Right-Wing rhetoric.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:25 PM
The answer is not a Canadain or British anwser but an American answer;
“The right answers lie in the opposite direction. The American direction. Getting health insurance out of both government’s and employers’ hands (like all other insurances), creating unrestricted competition, private and individual ownership, mandating having a minimum level of coverage (just as is done with auto insurance or home insurance if if the consumer borrowed money for the purchase) if we must, and giving equal tax deductibility for all. That way lies self-reliance and responsibility, not dependence on the socialist state.
The worst situations: catastrophic, major medical problems or end of life care wiping out individuals’ or families’ finances and forcing them into bankruptcy; children not getting appropriate health care; people with coverage in place cancelled when they become ill and need coverage must be addressed. But doing so does not warrant a monstrous power grab with the federal government taking control of the entire health care system.”
http://www.businessandmedia.org/commentary/2009/20090701090418.aspx
AFY!!thesheepdog!!!
November 25th, 2009 at 12:21 PM
You can watch T.R. Reid summarize his book for the Commonwealth Club right here:
http://fora.tv/2009/09/14/TR_Reid_The_Healing_of_America
November 25th, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Re: dual posting. Great minds think alike!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Sam!
November 25th, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Reading the well-reasoned and factually supported arguments for healthcare reform on Elizabeth’s blog was like a breath of fresh of air in what has all too often become a rather rancorous and rancid atmosphere for considering our healthcare options.
If you haven’t already, you should check it out:
http://whatcomforum.blogspot.com/
November 26th, 2009 at 1:20 AM
I found the meeting to be an “entitlement fest” where most in attendance agreed with a giggle that it was their “right” to take from those who have earned their money honestly and give it to those who have not. The audience was mostly youth and others who think the country and state can continue to expect golden eggs from a goose that is in a coma and showing few signs of life . I listened respectfully and left feeling that these folks are out of touch with the state of our economy or think money can be beaten out of a dead horse. We’ll be following California and Oregon down the toilet.
November 26th, 2009 at 8:50 AM
Youth? Really?
I was also at this meeting.
The audience that attended will be flattered that you deem them so young.
What are you, a thousand years old?