A Historic Vote: Health Care Reform Passes House

Murphy is surrounded... (0.00 / 0)

... by Owens to the north and west, Tonko and Arcuri to the west, Hinchey to the southwest, Hall to the south -- plus all of the U.S. Reps to the east in Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

These members of Congress all had the guts to vote for what is likely to be the most important and lasting legislative reform of Obama's first term.

They, unlike Murphy, understand that passing a public option (however flawed) was the first step, and that we need to keep fighting to protect and improve the bill.

They, unlike Murpy, understood that a defeat of the bill now, whatever its shortcomings, would mean that health care reform would be tabled for another 15 years or more, like it was when Clinton tried and failed in the early '90s.

They, unlike Murphy, understood how important it is to lift the fear of losing one's care and going into bankruptcy with provisions that end the worst abuses of the current system (like recission and the pre-existing condition shell game).

They, unlike Murphy, understood that making sure all Americans get regular, preventive care at more reasonable rates will in the long run save our country, our families and our businesses billions.

They, unlike Murphy, understood that sick, stressed workers teetering on bankruptcy have trouble contributing to the economy about which he claims to be so concerned.

The simple fact is that an estimated 12% of NY-20 residents have no health coverage at all, and this is not acceptable. Many more have substandard health coverage, or face the constant fear of losing care due to job losses, HMO allegations of a pre-existing condition, or insurers' recission because they had the nerve to actually get sick.

And yes, Mr. Murphy, sir, many of these people vote.

Now it's time to pressure the Senate to get those noxious Stupak terms out of the bill through the reconciliation process.

---

by: Hudson @ Sun Nov 08, 2009 at 15:15:08 PM CST

Something tells me (0.00 / 0)

that Murphy might think different after the bill comes out of conference.

We shall see.

---

by: Amherst Guy @ Sun Nov 08, 2009 at 16:45:27 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I'm still trying to make heads and tails of Massa (4.00 / 1)

If his vote was really because the bill wasn't liberal enough, I'd love to know why only two of the single payer supports (Massa and Kucinich) felt that way and the rest held their noses and passed some reform rather than no reform.

If the bill was too much for his district, then that stands completely out of line with his stance on single payer.

So this one is a big head-scratcher for me and I fear that Congressman Massa, who I genuinely like, made a big mistake that will cost him crucial base support in 2010.

"Never be afraid to stand with the minority when the minority is right, for the minority which is right will one day be the majority."


-William Jennings Bryan

---

by: BingChester @ Sun Nov 08, 2009 at 15:31:03 PM CST

I think its simple (0.00 / 0)

because they could.

If the bill needed either of them for 218, I think its a different story.

---

by: Amherst Guy @ Sun Nov 08, 2009 at 16:44:30 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I challenge everyone (0.00 / 0)

to wait and see how they vote on the final bill, the one that comes out of conference, before they cast judgement.

---

by: Amherst Guy @ Sun Nov 08, 2009 at 16:46:01 PM CST