Uncertainty and anxiety about health care reform were common themes at a panel discussion hosted by U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess on Wednesday at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton.

The discussion was conducted to give local leaders, medical professionals and business owners a chance to talk about the health care reform bill’s effects.

“We need good, quality information,” said Burgess, R-Lewisville.

Assisting him on the panel were: Laura Stromberg, spokeswoman for the National Federation of Independent Business; Lee Spangler, vice president of medical economics for the Texas Medical Association; and Lisa Wiborg, human resources director of Peterbilt Motors Co.

Denton Mayor Mark Burroughs made the opening remarks and introduced Burgess to the approximately 50 people in attendance.

Burgess conducted similar discussions with other panelists Tuesday in Flower Mound and one earlier Wednesday in North Richland Hills.

Burgess strongly opposed the health care reform bill, which has been a hot topic at his recent town hall meetings.

“It is immediately having an effect on lots of different aspects of life in America,” he said.

To illustrate this, Burgess displayed two charts — one showing some of the new positions and departmental changes from the bill and the other showing the changes to tax law and Medicaid broken out by year for the next several years.

Wiborg spoke on how the new bill presented challenges for Peterbilt.

“The types of elements of the bill you may be more familiar with are not going to be the major challenges for us — things like not having a lifetime cap, pre-existing conditions,” she said. “Our challenges will come from some of the more obscure parts of the bill, the stuff that is brand new, because we have no frame of reference for that.”

Wiborg cited an example of layoffs that occurred at the company.

Employees were given information on COBRA insurance options, and Peterbilt had to change those options not long after because of changes in information the government is giving the company.

“We’re going to comply with what we need to comply with,” she said. “What we want to make sure [of] is we get good direction and timely directions of what we need to do.”

Stromberg said the 24,000 Texas members of the National Federation of Independent Business were “terrified right now” because of the cost of providing insurance and health care.

In times of economic hardship, the country relies on small businesses to turn things around, she said.

“If you want to see a comeback, don’t punish the guys you rely on,” Stromberg said.

She mentioned 20 attorneys general who were filing suit to have the bill overturned or, at the least, change some portions.

Spangler offered tips on what businesses need to do to keep existing policies viable under the new health care law and advised business owners that the new law will require intensive planning and attention.

Audience members asked questions on a variety of subjects, including fines for businesses that opt out of the health bill’s mandates, changes to chiropractic care and the bill’s effect on employee leasing arrangements some businesses have.

After the meeting, local pediatrician Dr. Marquis Nuby waited to speak with Spangler.

Nuby said he came to the meeting seeking some clarification on the new changes. The answer he received was that things were not clear yet.

“We have to pay attention,” Nuby said, echoing Spangler’s words, “so we can adjust. I [want] to be able to optimize care for the youngsters I have been entrusted with, as well as survive and thrive as a business so I can continue.”


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