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    Libraries receive hand delivered health care bill

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November 3, 2009

Libraries receive hand delivered health care bill

REESHA BROWN

Big, bound and brought to libraries everywhere in the Port Arthur area, U.S. Rep. Ted Poe, R-Humble, and members of his staff hand delivered copies of the proposed House health care bill.

“Americans have made it clear that they want to know what is in this bill before Congress votes on it,” Poe said.

Residents have an opportunity to read the 1,999 page house health care bill before Congress votes on it Friday.

“I haven’t finished reading it yet, but I have read most of it,” Poe said. “It’s longer than the book warrants and not as funny.”

By providing libraries with a copy of the Bill, Poe said readers will have the opportunity to understand every angle of the bill before turning it over to the federal government.

“I do not support this bill,” Poe said. “It raises taxes and costs trillions of dollars. We just don’t have the money for it.”

Enthusiasm filled the air at the Hebert Public Library in Port Neches when employees and residents were told the bill would be readily available at the institution.

“We’re an information center, so it should come here,” Mary Goldberg, Hebert Public Library head cataloguer, said. “People come in here for everything and I’m sure everyone will want to read it.”

Against the bill, but for it being available, Gary Daigle a Port Neches resident, said he is ready to read it and take full advantage of its accessibility.

“I don’t want our legislature putting anything in effect if they don’t know what they’re doing,” Daigle said. “They represent us and if we don’t get to read what they’re doing then I don’t think they’re representing us.”

As soon as the book was placed on the reference desk, Rick Whitacker, circulation librarian at Port Arthur Public Library, said it is exciting for the institution to hold a copy for readers to use, but it will not be an easy read.

“I’m glad it’s here, but it’s going to be difficult to get through all this,” Whitacker said.

With plans to peruse the lengthy bill later, Whitacker said he is well aware of what the bill has to offer for health care recipients.

“I’m very much for it,” Whitacker said. “But I think insurance companies are in a bad place. The less they spend the more they get to keep. It’s a contradiction. Health care should be funded right. It’s too important to be left to the insurance companies.”

Even though Whitacker is for the health care bill, he said there are still many wrinkles the bill should iron out.

“The other issue this bill doesn’t cover is the way money is expended in the medical field, because of the insurance angle. An incredible amount of expenses are incurred and don’t have to be.”

With a little less than half of the book read, Poe said he has not yet finished the book but will do so before taking a vote.

“No member of Congress should vote on it one way or another unless they've read it,” Poe said.

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