By Rick HowlettCongressman John Yarmuth of Louisville says he believes Thursday's health care summit in Washington gave those who watched it a better understanding of the alternatives available for overhauling the system, but there's still a wide gap between Democrats and Republicans on the issue.Yarmuth, a Democrat says GOP lawmakers are holding fast to their belief that overhaul legislation should focus on tort reform, insurance portability and prevention initiatives. "In my opinion, that does not get to the root of the problem, which is that there's no way we will ever be able to deal with the rising cost of health care unless we get everyone into the system and figure out where the real inefficiencies are," he said.Yarmuth says he's optimistic that Congress can go back and produce substantive health care overhaul legislation, but it might happen with no Republicans on board.GOP leaders want Democrats to scrap their proposals and start anew.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.