Should the Government Mandate Health Insurance? July 30, 2009

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Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/06/17/Perspectives_on_Health_Care_Reform_from_the_US_Congress

By comparing health care to income tax and car insurance, Congressman Michael C. Burgess (R-TX) argues against a federally mandated public option. He asks, "What if instead of mandates, we looked at building programs that people actually wanted?"

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Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), and Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA), each offer their opinion on how health care ought to be reformed and how health care will be reformed, as well as the challenges reform faces in Congress.

Afterward, John Reichard, Editor of CQ HealthBeat, moderates a joint question and answer session. - Cato Institute

After spending nearly three decades practicing medicine in North Texas, Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D., was first elected to Congress in 2002, and re-elected in 2004, 2006, and most recently in 2008.

Dr. Burgess serves on the prestigious House Energy and Commerce Committee and three of its subcommittees: Health Care, Energy & Environment, and Oversight & Investigations. He is also a member of the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, and Dr. Burgess recently founded and is Chairman of the Congressional Health Care Caucus.
John Reichard - John Reichard is current editor of Congressional Quarterly's HealthBeat. Washington HealthBeat was founded in 2001 by John Reichard, whose 20-year career in Washington specialty publications included editing stints with McGraw-Hill, Thomson and other organizations.