KTKA

The Kansas delegation is responding to the health care speech President Obama gave Wednesday night and many are not content with what Obama had to say.

"The president's speech tonight was a prime-time attempt to revive a health care plan that has flatlined," said U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt. "The American people have been voicing their ardent opposition to a government health care takeover and clearly want a change from what Democrats are trying to do. It's time for the president to start over.

"I agree with President Obama that our nation's health care system needs to be reformed, and I was hopeful that tonight he would lead the way on a bipartisan solution," says U.S. Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins. "Unfortunately, the President has ignored the voice of many Americans along with some in his own party who are opposed to a government-run public 'option.'"

"I hope the President is serious when he says he is open to new ideas. Medical Malpractice reform is an area on which we can agree and can begin to drive costs down," says Senator Jim Barnett from Emporia. "However, the President should listen to the American people and drop his plan to create a government run health care system. We need a better plan, one that increases competition instead of putting a bureaucrat in control of our health care."

"While I commend the President for addressing this important issue, I have serious concerns that his proposals will not accomplish the reforms that are needed in the health care system," says Senator Sam Brownback. "Time and again, as I traveled the state during the past month, I heard my fellow Kansans express their concerns about the health care proposals currently being considered. Public support for these proposals has eroded as the American people have learned the details of these plans. The costs are too high, the consequences are too serious, and the outcomes are too doubtful."

Brownback even proposed several ideas to lower health care costs such as tort reform, allowing more than just employer-based plans, greater plan flexibility such as across state lines and working for tax-free health savings accounts.

All agree that the current system is flawed and a change is needed. The delegation is against a government takeover of the health care industry.