Ross: The reform will not include the option Gov't

LITTLE ROCK, Ark._U.S. Rep. Mike Ross said Monday that he believes some overhaul of the nation's health care system will be achieved this year, but doubts it will include a government-run option.

Ross, who has led his fellow conservative Blue Dog Democrats in delaying a vote on the health care overhaul until at least September, said he doubts the extremes of either party will be pleased with the final product.

"At the end of the day, I think the liberals will be screaming and saying that we didn't do enough and conservatives will be screaming and say that we did too much," Ross told students at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.

Ross later told reporters that he doubted such reform would include any kind of government-run insurance option. Liberals groups in recent weeks have expressed frustration with signs that Obama and other lawmakers are wavering in their support of a public option that would cover millions without health care insurance.

"We'll have health care reform that develops a way for the uninsured to have affordable health care, but probably will not include a public option," Ross said. "I believe we'll have health insurance reform to eliminate insurance companies from the opportunities they've had in the past of denying you coverage in the guise of pre-existing conditions."

Ross also told students that he thinks House leaders have focused too much on covering the uninsured as a goal of the health reform overhaul pushed by President Barack Obama. Ross said the focus should also be on reforming the insurance industry and keeping costs down for those with coverage.

"I don't think the House leadership has done a very good job of explaining what we mean when we say health care reform. The majority of people in America think we're talking about covering the uninsured," Ross said. "If you're not uninsured, then you just kind of tune it out."