Jul 28 2009

Does Fate Of Healthcare Reform Rest With Conservative Dems?

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baucusThe Republican Party’s greatest ally in Washington these days seem to be conservative Democrats. The so-called Blue Dog Democrats, which comprise roughly 20% of the party’s elected representatives, are stalling progress on the President’s push for a public health insurance option. Their greatest objections are to subsidies that would help low-income Americans pay for health-insurance, and to the taxing of high-end or so-called “gold-plated” insurance plans to help pay for the entire reform package. Many of these representatives are the recipients of campaign contributions from the healthcare industry. In fact, Democrats have received greater contributions than Republicans from for-profit health care providers, insurers and pharmaceutical companies. As Congressional committees race to agree on a compromise bill before the August 8th recess, the next few days will determine whether the Blue Dog Democrats will side with the GOP or their own party.

GUEST: John Nichols, political writer for the Nation Magazine, co-founder of Free Press

3 responses so far

3 Responses to “Does Fate Of Healthcare Reform Rest With Conservative Dems?”

  1. Ron Thiesingon 29 Jul 2009 at 5:56 pm

    Dear Sir,

    The thing that upsets everyone I talk
    to, is that they feel congressmen have not really read all the info on
    “Health Bill”. Democrats are simply
    wanting to pass it because of their
    party is in office.

    This bill will be much higher in cost
    before the ten years are up and then
    it will be to late to do anything
    about it.

    If Obama would work on getting people
    back to work, then they could pay for
    their own health care with the aid
    of the present system.

    Thank you for listening

  2. Alan Williamson 29 Jul 2009 at 9:11 pm

    Health Care Reform: We the public are asking the Blue-Dog Democrats not to join Obama & Pelosie in this reform It is going to lead our Nation into disasterous situations and will benefit none. You must realize this, because you have hung back thus far. If you refuse to join their forces to push ahead with this, you will not loose your jobs, but you will lose the majority of the respect of the citizens of this Nation and that may hurt you worse in the long run. This whole thing is total madness and will result in leading us further into financial disaster. Stand up and show your backbone against Obama. We are all watching you & pray you have the guts to do what is right for our country. Afterall, you are our leaders.

  3. Alan Williamson 29 Jul 2009 at 9:16 pm

    I agree 100% and so does our Town Hall Meeting Group. This is one time we must ask our leaders to read what they are agreeing to and to defy what is not benefiting the working class of America. Blue-Dog Democrats forget that Obama and the others are Democrats and vote on what you know and feel is right.

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