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Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) on why he does not feel there is cause for alarm if the government goes over the fiscal cliff.
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Talks in Washington.
-- democratic congressman Ron kind he's from Wisconsin he joins us from Capitol Hill and he's someone fully understands he's issued a Harvard university graduate.
London school of economics house Ways and Means Committee have been a quote you though I wanna read something that you said not too long ago.
In all probability.
Regarding a fiscal -- compromise it will likely -- having to vote for something with one hand and holding -- nose with the -- Because there will be things in it that neither side will particularly like -- care for certain.
What is it that you're willing to hold your nose for what kinda compromise what's in issue that you think stakes.
Which -- vote for it to get this deal -- while.
I think it's true I mean it's gonna take some courageous votes around here but it's time to go big you -- on my suggestion to the president.
-- the congressional leadership in the spirit of the holiday season.
Invite -- the Camp David.
-- the gate and tell -- not leaving this place until we reach a bipartisan compromise agreement to get our fiscal house in order that's what it's gonna take and our -- get something done.
Especially given the short timeframe in which we're operating right now.
And you are someone who has a record of fiscal responsibility trying to reform farm subsidies and whatnot but you also don't think that there is.
Cause for a long should we go over the fiscal cliff is people in my industry like to say every hour of everyday why should we not be -- While the great X factors the market reaction obviously business and consumers start losing confidence this -- starts going -- it's awfully tough to pull that.
Back again and that's the danger that were really playing with here.
But everyone knows what needs to be done guys every bipartisan commission that's been formed has reached the same conclusion we're gonna need some additional revenue.
We're gonna need major spending reforms in the budget to make this all add up so.
We know at the end game looks like we need to find the political process and then the political will in order to get it done.
-- I would I think it was Howard Dean actually said companies your words the end game.
The end game really includes raising taxes on everybody not the rich but everybody the middle class as well.
And and nobody is willing to do that right now I mean if you tax the rich -- -- to get seventy billion a year when we're running deficits of almost 900 billion to.
Trillion dollars a year that math doesn't add up.
Lloyd doesn't but on the spending side too I mean the largest and fastest growing area spending is rising health care costs we have 101000 baby boomers retiring in the Medicare every day.
Many of them with chronic illnesses and diseases that are going to be very expensive.
So we got to figure out a way to bend that cost curve with health care spending.
And there's a right or wrong way to do it the right way is that change how we pay for health care so its value and I'll come based in the longer.
Volume based payments which is really bankrupting our nation right now.
If you -- president Obama's year would you get him to say publicly yes we need to look at perhaps some means testing eligibility.
For perhaps Medicare that we need to raise the age of eligibility for Medicare it seems as if the administration is not willing to go down that road but that's really what we need to do is it.
Not.
Well -- he just raise the eligibility -- caution -- now private plans are gonna go up the expense for individuals will go up to your just moving money around.
The key to this.
Is changing how we pay for the entire health care system so this all come basis pay for performance.
It's in sending the health care providers -- -- good results not to order more tests more procedures that don't work.
In fact as the recent institute of medicine study that showed we're spending over 750.
Billion dollars every year in the health care system.
And stuff that doesn't work it doesn't improve patient care.
That's what we should be focused on in order to bring these health care costs down and and get our budget -- and our congressman.
Congressman Ron kind thank you very much your proposal to lock the negotiators in a room at Camp David I think voters and say.
Lock them in the room and then throw way to keep -- we appreciate your being here sir have a good day and my pleasure.
