Congressman Tom Cole Discusses Health Care Plans, Alternatives

By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -- Are you satisfied with your health care coverage? President Barack Obama's administration said there's a good chance you're not.

A report released by President Obama's office referred to the quality of health care in Oklahoma as "weak." The report claims Oklahomans have seen a 77% increase in the cost of the average family's premiums since 2000. It also indicated 17% of Oklahomans say they haven't visited a doctor because of the high cost.

While the Obama administration is using the report in an effort to push the president's government run health care option, Oklahoma's delegation isn't buying it.

Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole held his first town hall meeting in his district after convening for summer break. The town hall was Congressman Cole's first chance to see how people felt about Obama's health care plan. He said the response he got gave him enough reason to keep fighting against it.

"It will make you physically sick that they're going to ration health care and give free health care to all illegal aliens," said Oklahoma resident George Parker at a recent town hall meeting.

That was just a bit of the feedback Congressman Cole heard at his town hall meeting.

Instead of President Obama's plan, the congressman said there are other ways to make heath care more affordable, like lowering insurance costs for doctors and opening up a national market. He said opening up the market alone could offer the consumer more choices without the government stepping in.

"There are a lot of common sense things we can do that would cut costs and make it easier for people. We're not talking about those types of things," Cole said.