America's Health Care Debate Heats Up MC Conference
Clarion-Ledger Perspective Editor Sid Salter, a conference moderator, meets with School of Business Dean Marcelo Eduardo
Jere Nash, who once worked for Gov. Ray Mabus, and Andy Taggart, the former chief of staff to Gov. Kirk Fordice, took opposing sides on the volatile health care debate at Tuesday at the Jackson Convention Center.
Taking center stage later in the day, Gov. Haley Barbour delivered the keynote address at the "Business of Healthcare" conference sponsored by the MC School of Business.
More than 200 visitors converged on the new convention center for a lively discussion on one of the nation's hottest topics going on in the halls of Congress and at spirited town hall meetings from Maine to California.
Other professionals weighed in with speeches, including Dr. Randy Easterling, president of the Mississippi State Medical Association, and Dr. Thomas C. Fenter, corporate medical advisor with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi.
It's a subject that's got many split along party lines with U.S. Senate Democrats pushing a health care bill including a public option to revamp the health care system. It's drawn fire from a number of Republican leaders. A recent USA Today/Gallup Poll shows that half of Americans support a government plan, and 46 percent oppose it.
The authors of "Mississippi Fried Politics: Tall Tales from the Back Room," Nash and Taggart received a free plug from moderator Sid Salter before their debate began. The Clarion-Ledger Perspective Editor and host of a radio show on "SuperTalk," Salter referred to the duo's latest literary offering as of the best and most useful books on Mississippi political history.
And the two Mississippians updated the book "just in time for Christmas," Salter noted of the possible stocking stuffer.
With the "commercial" out of the way, Salter tossed a barrage of questions at the popular authors that ranged from health care to their predictions on the folks running in the next gubernatorial race and upcoming congressional elections.
Asked whether they support the public option, Salter produced a simple "yes" from Nash and a "no" from Taggart.
A Madison attorney who serves on the Mississippi College Board of Trustees. Taggart said the public option is really an expansion of Medicare and that's "ill-advised to begin with."
While he's got concerns about the state of America's health care system and what Democrats are proposing, "I don't want Congress to make it worse," Taggart said.
But Nash contends that Republicans are long on criticism and short on solutions. He wonders if they will continue a strategy of urging only a "no vote."
The two friends from different sides of the political fence did agree on some things.
They say that three of Mississippi's four U.S. House members, Bennie Thompson of the 2nd District, Gregg Harper of the Third District and Gene Taylor of the 4th District are safe bets for re-election next year. They forsee a tight race that pits Democratic First District U.S. Rep. Travis Childers against Republican Alan Nunnelee, a key state senator from Tupelo and member of MC's Board of Trustees.
The MC attracted a number of Mississippi political leaders including Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney plus a number of professionals from the state's business and medical communities.
The event also attracted MC business students plus a heavy media turnout. MC School of Business Dean Marcelo Eduardo, was among those taking questions from reporters.
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