Congressman Roe on Healthcare Reform

First District Congressman Phil Roe is waiting to hear from the President.

The  Congressman from Johnson City wrote to President Obama in July,  hoping to take up his offer to visit and go over healthcare reform legislation "line-by-line." 

Roe wrote a second letter earlier this month and he says he has yet to hear from anyone at the Whitehouse.

So is Roe grandstanding?  He says no.

Roe is an OB/GYN.  He's been a member of the medical community for more than 30 years and believes  his experience can help the President create legislation that both parties can agree on.

"I've never treated a Republican cancer or a Democratic cancer," he says. "Healthcare is not a partisan issue."

Roe - spoke with us from Washington via satellite.  We'll air the entire interview this Sunday on Tennessee This Week.

Below are several reforms he supports:

1- Health insurance should not be tied to our jobs.

2- Insurance companies should not be able to exclude someone because of a pre-existing illness.

3- Americans should not be forced into bankruptcy from a catestrophic illness.

4- Individuals should enjoy tax breaks equal to major corporations

5- An adult child without insurance should be able to stay on parents' plan at least through the age of 25 or 26.

6- Liability or tort reform.

7- Individuals should be able to buy health insurance across state borders

Tennessee This Week airs Sunday at noon on WATE.