Reps. Wenstrup, Bucshon and Kildee talk current state of Congress, look back on congressional careers

Three retiring members of Congress — Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, Larry Bucshon, R-Ind., and Dan Kildee, D-Mich. — engaged in a genial conversation that covered the current state of Congress, as well as what they view as the major issues and possible solutions facing health care.

Bucshon addressed the problems of high costs not only in health care, but in health care education and how it leads to some communities being underserved, particularly in the field of primary care.

Kildee spoke on the importance of access to health care, particularly when it comes to primary care providers, noting that “access doesn’t just mean insurance.”

The conversation also covered the overall atmosphere in the current Congress. “The majority of people have come [to Washington] to work hard and perform,” said Wenstrup. “And then there are those who come to perform. I wish the media would focus more on the members of Congress who get things across the finish line.”

Kildee agreed. “Bipartisanship exists, but it’s not celebrated,” he said. “Do not confuse disagreement with dysfunction.”