Rep. Larry Kissell (D NC8) Concerned About Obama Care?

As I’ve mentioned before, many of the folks in Larry Kissell’s offices seem to recognize my voice on the phone. I chalk it up to Caller ID; really, I seldom call more than once a day (per office) and I’ve never called the same office more than three times in a day and that was Crap and Tax Day. For those of you who may not have him on speed dial, let me give you a little history.

Rep Larry Kissell ran as a “fiscal conservative Democrat”, a popular option in rural North Carolina. Heath Schuler (NC 11) is the Blue Dog Whip and Mike McIntyre’s 7th District borders Kissell’s. Many were surprised when the list of the members of the Blue Dog Coalition, released in March, did not include Kissell’s name. An RNCC Press Release on March 5th claimed he had been declined membership, suggesting it was possibly due to his votes on the Porkulus and the Omnibus, among other things:

“Larry Kissell’s rejection from the conservative Blue Dog Coalition provides even more convincing evidence that Kissell’s calls for ‘fiscal responsibility’ were nothing more than empty rhetoric,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Since coming to Congress Kissell has repeatedly supported the liberal wing of his party’s unending spending spree and has failed to put the interests of middle-class families in his district first.”

Kissell’s spokeswoman said that while he had been asked to join by Heath Schuler, Kissell declined, and ended her statement by saying “as he says, he’s not much of a joiner.” Kissell has not joined any of the other Congressional Caucuses, as he swore during his campaign.

With August turning ugly for Democrat Congressmen, Kissell, along with Heath Schuler were doing their Town Hall Meetings via phone, although Kissell did appear along with Senator Richard Burr (R NC) at an event in Richmond County, part of Kissell’s district. Kissell did not discuss healthcare at the Hamlet, NC event.

As infighting in the Democrat Party increases over the “public option”, the still dissatisfied Blue Dogs, and other “fiscally conservative” Democrats works in the American people’s favor.

Kissell’s weekly newsletter arrived in my inbox yesterday afternoon. While not ecstatic over what he had to say (Q: Do you know how to tell when a Democrat is lying? A: His lips are moving.) I was somewhat shocked. After the usual bland, promise nothing, take no stand opening, he actually expressed concern: (emphasis is mine throughout)

“As the debate on health care reform continues, I wanted to share with you my concerns about the proposed cuts in the Medicare home health care reimbursements in the current House health care bill being considered."

Then he mentioned rationing:

“The proposed cuts would harm home health care, and could leave almost a million recipients without the care they need. The impact of these cuts will deny life saving care to seniors and have harmful effects on home health care and hospice programs. Patients in rural communities would be especially hard hit by these cuts.”

Next he’s deeply troubled about jobs, and rightly so. The 8th District of North Carolina, once renowned for its textile manufacturing has been suffering plant closures and high unemployment for years. The figures in January 2009, for the counties in Kissell’s District ranged from 8.9 to 16.3, while the statewide average was reported as 7.9.

“This is deeply troubling, not only for our seniors and disabled citizens, but the negative impact on home health care agencies could cause many to close their doors, costing desperately needed jobs in one of the only fields still hiring.”

The very next paragraphs pull out a trifecta; jobs, seniors, and small business:

“One-third of home health care agencies have a negative Medicare margin. I believe that if profitable agencies must operate under negative conditions, many community-based providers will have no choice but to close their doors. This will leave their patients without a reasonable, affordable option and cost thousands of home health care workers their jobs.

Nursing home care costs are some of the most expensive services associated with Medicare and Medicaid. Using Medicare dollars for home health care can reduce costly hospitalizations and nursing home care. Home health care and the dedicated workers who provide these services help keep our seniors and disabled citizens healthier, allowing them to stay in their homes while doing it for far cheaper than the alternative treatments.”

He actually made a demand in the next paragraph:

“Any comprehensive health care reform must not include cuts in home health care and hospice, but use Medicare and Medicaid funding efficiently to allow more access to home health care while focusing on wellness and independent living.”

It would be too much to read a reference to "Death Panels" in his closing.

“While I believe our country needs health care reform, it must not come at the cost of stripping our most vulnerable populations of the care they deserve. I came to Washington to fight for the people of the Eighth District, and I will continue to make sure your voice is heard.”

Apparently Larry’s been listening to the voices in his district, albeit with some trepidation. The entire North Carolina congressional delegation has been invited to appear on a televised Town Hall, broadcast by UNC-TV, on the 25th of August, live at 9:00 pm:

“Representatives David Price and Brad Miller have confirmed their participation in the UNC-TV studio, and Representative Mel Watt will appear via satellite uplink from Charlotte. Representatives G.K. Butterfield, Howard Coble, Walter Jones, Sue Myrick and Heath Shuler, along with U.S. Senator Kay Hagan, have declined the invitation.

Senator Richard Burr, Representative Bob Etheridge, Representative Virginia Foxx, Representative Patrick McHenry and Representative Larry Kissell have not yet responded with a final decision to either accept or decline the invitation.”

Accept the invitation, Mr. Kissell, you’re on the right track but if you’re going to “make sure our voices are heard” in Washington, you have to hear them first. And to the nice folks in his offices, do you have coffee in the mornings or should I bring my own? I think I need to step things up a little bit.