Panels talk health care, economy during forum

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September 4, 2009

One speaker says Southern Indiana’s economy has leveled out

By TARA HETTINGER The News and Tribune Fri Sep 04, 2009, 07:34 PM EDT

What’s next for Southern Indiana’s economy, including the housing and job markets, and the future of health care were topics on the agenda for Rep. Baron Hill’s 2009 Southern Indiana Economic Forum.

Dozens of people came to Indiana University Southeast’s Paul W. Ogle Cultural and Community Center to hear panelists from each of those three areas discuss the issues at hand, challenges for the future and answer questions from the audience.

Hill — a Democrat who represents Indiana’s 9th District — said the goal of the forum was to educate people on the issues to dispel myths, while also giving him some feedback to take to Washington, D.C.

HEALTH CARE REFORM

The health forum, the first topic on the agenda, consisted of four panelists, including moderator Jim Bickel, president and CEO of Columbus Regional Hospital.

Panelist Ann Latscha, with Service Employee International Union, said she supports a government-run public option plan, because it would provide quality care while forcing insurance companies to compete for business, thus lowering their prices.

“We think it’s very important that we have health care reform so all citizens can have health coverage,” Latscha said.

Panelist June Lyle, state director with the AARP, said discrimination against people because of a pre-existing condition and age needs to end. She said seniors pay about five times as much as younger adults do for insurance. She said she would like to see the rates even or at most at a 2:1 ratio.

The group also talked about potential barriers in passing health care reform.

“If this breaks down, it’s not going to be because of policy. It’s going to be because of politics,” Lyle said.

SOUTHERN INDIANA ECONOMY

The panel on the economy consisted of five people, including moderator Michael Dalby, president of economic development group One Southern Indiana. Panelists talked about where the area is now and what will happen once the economy bounces back.

“I think we’ve hit the bottom and we’re starting to level out,” said panelist Tracee Lutes, principal broker with Avenues Realty Group.

She said she doesn’t think the economy is moving back up just yet.

“When the economy does rebound, it will be different jobs with different skill sets,” said panelist Ron McKulick, executive director for Workforce Development Associates.

He said the government is doing the right thing in helping those laid-off further their education to prepare them for the jobs that are available now and will be there in the future.

Lutes said the $8,000 tax credit to first-time homebuyers is really helping the housing market. However, she said she would like to see that extended beyond this year — when it’s scheduled to end — as well as be expanded to include all homebuyers.

Panelist Joe Craig, general manager for Craig Buick, said the cash-for- clunkers program helped not only his business, but also those in the auto manufacturing field by putting employees back to work to build more cars.

Panelists also talked about the need to educate children now about how to manage money for when they are older.

Shelby Shaffer, one of the audience members, said she thought the forum was very informative. She said she came mostly for the talk on health care reform, since she is the veterans service officer for Clark County.

“I think it’s a good idea. I like it. I’m all for national health care,” Shaffer said of a public option. “That way, everyone will have it and it will lower the costs [with other insurance carriers].”

Earlier this week, Hill hosted a public forum on health care at IUS that drew in capacity crowd, even having some people waiting outside.