WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderRockfordians react to health care action

Rockfordians react to health care action

By Bob Schaper

ROCKFORD (WREX) -- We told you last night the U.S. Senate is on track to take up what could be the final debate on health care reform. And now more and more Americans are paying attention.

Everybody from the president on down seems to have an opinion on this one, including some Rockford shoppers I caught up with tonight. Most agreed that the current system has issues.

"If you get sick you should get the same service as a man with a million dollars," says Joe Simmons.

But not everybody thinks government is the answer.

"I think health care should be a choice among the people and the individual companies," says Josh Hancock.

Kelly Erboe says the government should back off, but she's also worried about her family's COBRA insurance, which is set to expire soon.

"They should maybe go more after the insurance companies and have them have more affordable rates, like maybe a sliding fee scale for the people that can't afford it," she says.

The House has already passed one version of health care reform and the Senate will take up a similar measure after Thanksgiving. A procedural vote last night was seen as a narrow victory for Democrats, but a final bill is still a long way from President Obama's desk.

A major issue yet to be resolved is whether or not the government itself will offer health insurance to people of all ages, which is the so-called public option.