Grassley not on side of Iowans in health care debate

By Cathy Glasson

It is clear to me that the debate on health care reform is no longer a discussion over what's best for patients and the American public. Rather, it has devolved into a partisan political battle pitting those who favor corporate interests against those looking out for the public interest.

As a nurse and president of a union representing more than 2,000 registered nurses and 1,200 health care professionals in Central and Eastern Iowa, I believe that health care professionals, not giant insurers, should help our patients call the shots when it comes to making health care decisions.

After all, we are the front line caregivers who know how to provide the highest-quality care. Ask a nurse how to reduce waste in our system. She or he can give you a hundred examples. Granted, this may sound oversimplified given the complex and confusing nature of health care policy and financing.

What is not confusing, however, is how Sen. Chuck Grassley has made sure the corporate interests get taken care of ahead of those of regular people.

Grassley apparently would rather stand with the health care industry and insurance companies than stand up for Iowans. How can I say that, you ask?

Well, a recent Iowa Poll conducted for the Des Moines Register showed that 71 percent of those surveyed had experienced problems with the current health care system. As a result, Iowans want change. In fact, the same poll showed that 51 percent of Iowans favor including a “public option” as part of the final mix of alternatives available to consumers when health care reform passes. A clear majority has favored the idea since the spring. Meanwhile, Grassley's statements and actions appear to totally ignore these facts.

So why is our senator being cavalier about the situation of many Iowans and turning a deaf ear to the types of solutions they would like to see? Money. Lots of money.

As USA Today reported last month, campaign donations to Grassley's coffers from the health care industry jumped 36 percent in the first three months of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. That $125,800 made him No. 1 among Republicans in taking money from those interests. Over the course of his career, the nonpartisan Sunlight Foundation reports that Grassley has taken $2.7 million from the health and insurance industries.

What is hard to fathom is that at the beginning of the efforts to reform our broken health care system, Grassley seemed willing to reach a compromise. In fact, 52 percent of Iowans, according to the Iowa Poll, want him to compromise with Democrats.

But when it came time to stand up and do the right thing, the opinions of Iowans did not seem to matter to him.

He recently sent out a fundraising letter that sought donations, asking people for “your immediate support in helping me defeat ‘Obama-care.'?” Grassley is turning away from compromise and toward obstructionism.

I have called and written to Grassley on many occasions. I even delivered a booklet filled with personal health care horror stories from regular Iowans, pleading with him to do the right thing and support a public option for those who cannot afford private insurance.

Given the evidence, I have to ask: Sen. Grassley, whose side are you really on?

Cathy Glasson of Coralville, a registered nurse for more than 20 years, is president of Service Employees International Union Local 199.