A group of Republican lawmakers with medical backgrounds voiced criticisms of proposed health overhaul legislation during a panel discussion held by the Medical Society of the District of Columbia.

The lawmakers said Democratic proposals to overhaul the U.S health system, particularly a government-run public insurance option, would lead to too much government intervention in health care.

Rep. Tim Murphy, a clinical psychologist from Pennsylvania, said creating a public insurer or allowing the government to approve private insurance plans could give the government too much decision-making power or cause some people to lose insurance that they like.

“In our zeal to do this, we might end up doing this in a way that says, ‘We know what’s best for you,’” Murphy said at Tuesday’s event held at the The George Washington University. The Pennsylvania lawmaker, along with six Republican physicians — Reps. Michael C. Burgess of Texas, Bill Cassidy and John Fleming of Louisiana, Phil Gingrey and Tom Price of Georgia and Phil Roe of Tennessee — participated in the panel discussion.

Medical Society President Peter Lavine, who moderated the panel discussion, said most lawmakers don’t have a strong understanding of how the health care system works and could benefit from the advice of medical professionals in Congress.

Lawmakers on the panel aired criticisms many Republicans have expressed about health care legislation, including concern that a government-run insurance option would drive other insurers out of business and prove financially unsustainable.

Roe, an orthopedic surgeon, compared public plan proposals with his state’s TennCare program. Created in 1994, TennCare offered insurance coverage at low premiums to thousands of residents. But as enrollment numbers grew, TennCare struggled to compensate health care providers for services.

“It became overutilized and almost broke the state budget,” Roe said. “It was supposed to save money, and it almost bankrupted the state.”

He said Massachusetts’ health care changes also have met with financial difficulties even though about 97 percent of the state’s residents have health insurance. (See related story, CQ HealthBeat, May 31, 2009).

Burgess, an obstetrician and gynecologist, said that House Republicans feel they have been left out of discussions about overhaul legislation in what he calls the “inner sanctum” of Democrats writing the bill.

“It has been a study in frustration watching this legislation crafted in the House,” he said.

Panelists, including Medical Society Board Chairman Stuart F. Seides, said overhaul legislation is moving too quickly through Congress, which could lead to costly mistakes.

“This is something that is actually rather terrifying to see on a fast train that appears to have left the station,” Seides said.


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