CNN "CNN Newsroom" - Transcript

Interview

Interviewer: Rick Sanchez

He is, of course, Republican Senator from Wyoming John Barrasso, who has been with us before.

The comment -- and, first of all, Senator, thanks so much for being with us, sir.

SEN. JOHN BARRASSO (R), WYOMING: Thank you, Rick.

SANCHEZ: The comment made by the president last night, let's start there. It was probably a bit of a double whammy for you, I imagine, I'm guessing, first of all because you are a lawmaker who opposes the president's plan, and also because you are a doctor. And, essentially, what the president was saying is, under the current system, there may be times when a doctor will make a decision based more on money than on a patient's needs.

BARRASSO: I think people go into medicine for the right reason, Rick. It's to take care of people. That's why folks become doctors and nurses and physical therapists, to help other people.

But we have a system that pays for doing more things. We don't have a health care system. We have a sickness system in this country, Rick. And the president, you know, talks about amputating a foot.

Yes, we pay a lot more in this country for -- for amputating a foot. Actually, you'd pay more if you amputate at the knee than if you help the person with diabetes get their diabetes under control.

And that's why we need to reform health care in a way that focuses on people staying well and encourages that rather than in doing more things --

SANCHEZ: As a doctor, were you offended by, I'm just curious here, were you offended by the president's comments last night?

BARRASSO: I think he would say it differently if he could to the people that I know that are in medicine, they go in for the right reasons.

SANCHEZ: I'm interested because some people could also very well argue that the president was brazen, courageous in what he said, because there may be some truth to the fact that money sometimes does get in the way of proper health care. Is that fair?

BARRASSO: Money also gets in the way in terms of the number of tests that are done, money that is spent more to protect against the possibility of a junk lawsuit than actually getting the person well, because the more money that is spent as a doctor ordering tests, the more you can protect yourself from liability.

So there is a lot of waste in the system. But, bottom line is, the president at the Cleveland clinic, I think those students asked wonderful questions...

SANCHEZ: What a shame. It looks like we just lost Tom Barrasso. Is there a chance we can get him back? I will stay here and count to ten to see if he with can get him back.

It's interesting, because he and I were just having that conversation about what predicament doctors were in.

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SANCHEZ: Let's go back to Senator John Barrasso now. You heard your colleague there. As I was listening to him talk, I was thinking, are we simply trading in one system where HMOs tell doctors what to do for a different system where the government might tell them what to do?

BARRASSO: It sure looks that way to me, Rick. I have the 1,000 page House bill. You go through this whole thing, and you have to say to yourself, are we really making health the most important thing, or is this just another way to treat sickness?

They are trying to talk about moving more and more people into Medicaid while the Democratic and Republican governors oppose this across the country, calling it the mother of all unfunded mandates, pushing the cost off.

And Medicaid has done a terrible job in terms of prevention and early treatment and coordinated care. But that's what they are pushing with these proposals.

So, I don't see a focus here. I appreciate when the president said, we want to get it right instead of getting it done fast, and I think that's absolutely right.

And also, he said, keep up the pressure on the members of Congress. I think everybody from Congress ought to go home over August, take a copy of the bill home with him, read the bill, and then share it at town meetings just like the one he had today in Cleveland, and then come back and vote after the people of this country have their input, their opportunity to state what they want and what they don't want, and a government takeover is not what the people of this country want, Rick.

SANCHEZ: Let me leave with one more question to you, though. I've been asking you questions as a doctor, and I appreciate your insight on that. Let me ask you a question now as a politician.

My sources lead me to believe that the Democrats have enough votes to see this thing through, with or without your side. What is your reaction to that?

BARRASSO: Well, we need health care reform in this country. If we get bipartisan health care bill, that's going to be much better. You would much rather have something supported across the board, both parties, and everybody goes out and tells people around the country, this is better for our national, this is better for our future.

But we are not seeing this now, because I have fundamental concerns about this. The Congressional Budget Office says it costs way too much. The Mayo Clinic says this program will actually make matters worse, will increase costs and won't do things to help health care.

You have David Broder, "The Washington Post," saying it's overly expensive, it's badly flawed. Those are the things I believe about this bill.

So if they have all the votes that they need to jam something through that to me is irresponsible and reckless, I don't think that will be good for America. I would prefer getting reform done but doing it in a way that's bipartisan with some really common sense approaches and changes that will make a difference for the health of this country.

SANCHEZ: Senator, John Barrasso, you're always welcome, sir, to come and share your perspective with us. We thank you for your time.

BARRASSO: Thanks, Rick.

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