Conrad speaks, no time to listen
By KIM FUNDINGSLAND Staff Writer kfundingsland@minotdailynews.comArticle Photos
Fact Box
Conrad, Dorgan continue statewide stops
By ELOISE OGDEN
Regional Editor
eogden@minotdailynews.com
Senators Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan will continue their stops in North Dakota for discussions on health care and other topics.
Today Conrad is in Velva at 9 a.m. at Valley View Manor; in Garrison at 11:30 a.m. at Garrison Memorial Hospital; and in Killdeer at 3:15 p.m. (MST) at Hill Top Home of Comfort.
Conrad's schedule of stops in area communities next week include:
MONDAY
Harvey, 2:45 p.m., health care-based discussion at St. Aloisius Medical Center.
Maddock, 5 p.m., 10th anniversary of the Business and Technology Center.
TUESDAY
Devils Lake, 9:15 a.m. Conrad is joined by acting FEMA Deputy Administrator David Garratt and Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to meet with local leaders to inspect the ongoing flood threat, followed by noon, press availability with Conrad and other officials in the Armory Room.
Dorgan has scheduled farm shop meetings next week.
His schedule for area meetings include:
THURSDAY
Ryder, 11:45 a.m., State Sen. John Warner farm, 33200-331st Ave. SW, Ryder, barbecue lunch served.
Also, his schedule includes attending the ING Service Center's 10th anniversary celebration in Minot.
FRIDAY
Ray, 9:15 a.m., Dorvan and Eileen Solberg farm, 11395-66th St. NW, Ray, sweet rolls and coffee served.
MOHALL - What was billed as a "health-care listening session" featuring Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., ended abruptly after the senator heard from just two residents of the Good Samaritan Society Center and announced that he was out of time. As Conrad made a quick exit, many in the crowd that had spilled out into the hallways could be heard expressing their shock and disappointment at not having a chance to quiz the senator about the looming health-care bill or other pressing national issues.
"Isn't that something. This is America where we are supposed to be heard," said one attendee to anyone who would listen.
Another responded, "Pretty slick, wasn't it? What do you expect out of Washington today?"
Earlier Conrad told the gathering, which consisted of residents of the center and a large number of area citizens who took time from their day to attend the 2:30 p.m. listening session, that he had to leave to avoid being late for a similar meeting in Stanley.
During his opening remarks, Conrad explained to the audience what North Dakotans wanted in terms of new health-care legislation. He told the gathering that 88 percent of North Dakotans are currently covered by some form of health insurance, but that those 88 percent pay about $1,000 per year extra in premiums in order to pay for those who are not covered. He emphasized that the current Medicare program might last only another eight years.
"Doing nothing is not an option," Conrad said. "We need to get the best value we can and save dollars but, when it comes to health-care coverage there's no free lunch here. Somebody pays for it."
According to Conrad, North Dakota is one of several northern tier states that has low cost for high-quality health care.
"The South is just the reverse. In Florida, they have three times the medical costs per person compared to North Dakota and they have worse health care," stated Conrad.
Conrad said he is being heavily criticized in the Eastern press for supporting a cooperative health-care plan modeled after successful cooperatives in North Dakota and neighboring states. He added that he won't support a bill that results in government taking over the health-care system, provides coverage for illegal aliens or contains "end of life" legislation.
Furthermore, said the senator, any new health-care plan should be totally voluntary and that no one should be compelled to enroll. Those comments were favorably received and resulted in the only applause during Conrad's remarks.
A few in the audience brought homemade signs with them. The signs urged tort reform, called government health care "rationed" care and said no to government intervention. There were no outbursts at the meeting such as those seen elsewhere at health-care forums around the country. There was both sheriff and police presence at the meeting.
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RKryder
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08-17-09 9:11 PM
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HSR0601 You are sadly mistaken, though I recognize you are merely expressing your opinion. 1. If you are an American, you are familiar with the free market system. A single-payer system is not the most cost effective way to go. 2. In terms of common sense, IF a fire is expected, and that has not been demonstrated in this case, you do not send arsonists in to fight the fire. Extreme hyperbolic example on my part, but just as valid as sending in Washington to fix a fire it helped cause. 3. Jobs are created by the current system, not by some fanciful prediction of an anti-free market plan. Are you aware of the investments made by private insurance companies in job-producing corporations? 4. End of life counseling is voluntary -- but what if the patient is incapacitated or unable to voluntarily make that choice, who will make those decisions? Enter Death Panel. Finally, if a Washington-based health care plan is so good, why is Indian Health Services such a mess???!!
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concerned
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08-17-09 10:25 AM
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The East Coast downing his co-op, what an excuse? Nobody in has really heard you Conrad on your co-op plan. Nor will our communities here you. You think we just roll over, don't have access to the internet and our plain dumb to the media and life. Shame on you. Your plan has only been interviewed about once on MSNBC, which is one of the more liberal channels. So get over it, Conrad, don't worry about the East Coast media. You need to take care of your people or get out. It's a new North Dakota!
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hsr0601
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08-17-09 10:06 AM
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Why NOT ? 1. In an effort to avoid inaction & bankruptcy, there is no denying Single-Payer Plan is the most cost-effective way, and the Public / Private Option is a partial adoption of it. At present, roughly 20 million of the uninsured are young adults, the possible enrollees of lower costs, accordingly, this partial adoption could be more cost-effective than the full one by ratio, not to mention volume. 2. As common sense goes, in terms of fire, preventing it ahead or containing it in earlier phase is by far the best cost containment of all, and the essential and most cost-saving preventive care programs call for expansive investments of non-profit. 3. One of three pillars in a new foundation, this health care redesign, to be sure, is going to lead to much-needed massive job creation. 4. We need to accept Sebelius' remark this way; If the death panel is true, she is willing to open the door for deficit-driven nonsense. 5. Good News ! A staff writer at The
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Shorty
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08-16-09 10:24 PM
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Maybe he had to get back to Delaware to his beach house. He sure doesn't seem to have time for North Dakota
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Budss101
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08-16-09 2:25 AM
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You can toss these dudes out at election time. and if they wont listen maybe you should.
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carriemv2001
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08-16-09 12:57 AM
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This is the exact reason why no one has confidence in Washington anymore. They are more concerned with keeping their job and prestige. The only time I've really seen politicians talking with other people is its election season. We need to get some new ideas and fresh faces in Washington and to stop re-elect someone to their seemingly endless term.
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MANTAN
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08-15-09 9:16 PM
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This is sad. Maybe Conrad will rethink his actions and maybe his assistant can make a schedule he can keep instead of running out early to make the next one. Or maybe a new assistant. Or let the community know he will only answer a few questions before bolting off. Hopefully his other town meetings are better .. for his own sake.
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ND1CPA
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08-15-09 3:39 PM
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Like so many others in Washington, Conrad is ignoring the people he is supposed to represent. The greed and corruption has become too much -- I will not vote for Conrad or others like him again. We, the people are fed up!
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OldDog
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08-15-09 6:53 AM
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Gutless Wonder.. My way or forget it! Please remember his short brief meeting when it comes time for his reelection. He thinks the people of North Dakota are dumb and have short memories. Mark the "other" box when he comes up to be reelected. If he does not have time for us we should not have time for him! Going to Stanley is no excuse. Any person worth their salt could realize how to schedule meetings to accomodate the people they are speaking to!
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