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Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009

Chambliss: Obama wants 'everyone under a government run' health care plan

Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., addressed the Macon Chamber of Commerce Wednesday afternoon on the issue of health care reform.

While praising President Obama for “spending a little political capital” to address the issue, Chambliss told the audience gathered on the campus of Central Georgia Technical College that “the goal of a government run option is to have everyone under a government run plan.” Obama has advocated establishing a government-offered health insurance plan as a strategy to reduce health care costs by increased competition.

Appearing before reporters after his remarks, Chambliss elaborated.

“This is a President who has spearheaded the takeover of the financial system, the automobile industry in this country, who has put a stimulus package out there that has really increased the debt that we’re putting on our children and our grandchildren, who has put policies that as of today, have raised the deficit ... to 1.2 trillion dollars,” Chambliss said. “I think this President is committed to making sure that there is a government-run health care system in this country, and the first step in doing that is to put a government option in place.”

Chambliss also distanced himself from comments made by former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, who wrote on her Facebook page last week that Obama’s healthcare proposals would lead to “death boards” who would deny care based the “level of productivity in society” of that patient.

“It’s a great country we live in, everyone has an opinion,” Chambliss said with a grin. “Governor Palin’s got her right to what she thinks it says. I don’t necessarily agree with that.”

Wednesday’s event was sponsored by the Macon Chamber of Commerce and was closed to the general public.

There were no distruptions during Chambliss’ 30-minute presentation. Two people were denied entrance into the conference hall, but only because they were not members of the Macon Chamber of Commerce.

Addressing recent distruptions of town-hall events held by Sen. Arlen Spector, D-Pa., and Sen. Claire McCaskill, D.-Mo., Chambliss offered sympathy to his Senate collegues but pointed to the Obama agenda as the cause célèbre for the protesters.

“The frustration level has increased every time one of these incidents have happened,” Chambliss said.

To contact writer Thomas L. Day, call 744-4489.