Webb, Warner quiet on health care bill, for now

[Blue_Tires]

As the U.S. Senate completes its first week of debate on a massive health care overhaul bill, Virginia's two senators have been silent.

Sens. Mark Warner and Jim Webb, both Democrats, have said they want comprehensive health care reform that would cut costs and ensure quality care for more people. But they have yet to say what changes are needed in the 2,000-plus-page bill, called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to win their support.

In rejecting requests for interviews with Webb and Warner this week, their spokespersons said the senators aren't ready to join in the floor debate just yet.

But that could change soon.

Warner has been working with 11 other freshman senators on a package of amendments that might be introduced next week. The proposals include improved collection of information about health care treatments, outcomes and pricing so that they can be studied and compared, said Kevin Hall, Warner's communications director.

The goal would be a transparent system in which costs, treatments and outcomes for patients could be compared across the nation in real time, he said.

http://hamptonroads.com/2009/12/webb-warner-quiet-health-care-bill-now

[shadesofgray]

1. I live in VA and have written both of them numerous times about this...and

I have received nothing back but completely unresponsive gobbledygook.

I wouldn't trust either one as far as I could throw him.

[vadawg]

2. they are looking at what will get them re-elected, they can see the numbers in VA going against this

so they are hedging and hawing hoping to get beyond it, or for it to die a death...

[OHdem10]

3. Regional politics and culture. Va is still "southern" in many ways.