Progress Illinois

Some more health care news...

Moderate Democrats Voice Concerns

In her Sun-Times column this morning, Carol Marin singles out Democratic Reps. Melissa Bean and Bill Foster for their yes votes in favor of health care legislation this past weekend:

We may disagree with one another on whether, in the end, this legislation is good for America. Or whether we as a nation can afford all of its provisions.

But what is harder to disagree with is that health care in this country, at the moment, is a ragged, patched quilt of different levels of coverage.

And for between 35 million and 45 million of us, there's no coverage at all.

That's why this vote, to my mind anyway, was historic. And why it took some moxie to say yes.

Foster told Marin that his vote was "easy," yet he's still publicly criticizing some key planks of the legislation including the design of the public option. Foster contends that if the government is allowed to borrow money for start-up costs at a lower interest rate than private companies, the insurance industry will be put at a disadvantage. Bean isn't totally sold yet, either. She tells the Pioneer Press that she's seeking "improved cost containment measures" like the creation of an Independent Medicare Advisory Council, which would have the authority to make recommendations to the president on annual Medicare payment rates and other reforms.

Meanwhile, Rep. Debbie Halvorson has released a slick video explaining why she supported the legislation. There aren't a lot of legislative details in the spot, but there are three testimonials from women in the 11th district who have faced medical and financial strains because of inadequate health insurance coverage. "I really believe this bill," Halvorson says to close the piece, "is going to move us into the direction of affordable, accessible, and quality health care." Watch it:

Hamos: Stupak Amendment Is Unacceptable

While State Rep. Julie Hamos is just a candidate for Congress at the moment, the 10th District Democratic contender hinted yesterday that if she were on Capitol Hill last weekend, she would have voted against any bill that included language similar to the Stupak amendment. Here's her statement:

The Affordable Health Care Act is an important victory in the fight for quality, affordable health care. However, I am adamantly opposed to the last-minute addition of the anti-choice Stupak Amendment. I am disappointed that some Members of Congress would try to force a choice between health care reform for all with no reproductive health care for some.

I reached out to Rep. Jan Schakowsky and she told me that key members of the House pro-choice caucus met on Monday with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and all of them agreed that the anti-choice language is unacceptable. I agree. They are hopeful that they can make the needed changes in the Senate or in the subsequent Conference Committee.

I have fought for women's reproductive freedom for decades -- from serving on the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood to being involved in every legislative initiative affecting choice or reproductive health care. The Stupak Amendment is another clear reminder of how important it is to have a Representative in Congress who understands what is at stake and will stand up for what matters.

Actions Coming Up

Health care activists are still working hard to pressure recalcitrant lawmakers and insurance industry officials to support reform. Tomorrow, MoveOn's Rockford branch will protest outside of Republican Rep. Don Manzullo’s office at 12:00 pm "to criticize him for siding with the insurance industry instead of Illinois families by voting against health care reform with a public option during a recent House vote."

Next Tuesday, folks affiliated with Health Care for American Now are meeting at the headquarters of Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Chicago and marching to the Renaissance Hotel, where the industry group American Health Insurance Plans is holding their national conference. You can find more information, as well as a related video, at their website.