Democratic leaders look to woo abortion foes to secure votes for health care bill
Democratic leaders look to woo abortion foes to secure votes for health bill
March 19, 2010
By: David M. Herszenhorn and Robert Pear
WASHINGTON — House Democratic leaders late Friday were exploring the possibility of a deal with abortion opponents that would clinch the final votes to pass major health care legislation, but they faced stiff resistance from lawmakers who support abortion rights.
Democratic leaders look to woo abortion foes to secure votes for health bill
March 19, 2010
By: David M. Herszenhorn and Robert Pear
WASHINGTON — House Democratic leaders late Friday were exploring the possibility of a deal with abortion opponents that would clinch the final votes to pass major health care legislation, but they faced stiff resistance from lawmakers who support abortion rights.
Mr. Boccieri said her case brought back memories of standing at the foot of his mother's bed as a small boy and being told that she had breast cancer.
"Thank God she had health insurance; she is living today, she is with us," Mr. Boccieri said. "But I think what would have happened and what could happen to those 39,000 people in my Congressional district who don't have health insurance."
Mr. Boccieri noted that he has been warned his vote for the bill could cost him re-election in November. "If in this job I can save one life, one family, one person, one Natoma, this job is worth it," he said.
Also on Friday, the American Medical Association announced what it described as "qualified support" for the bill. Dr. J. James Rohack, the association's president, said the bill would improve the lives of millions by "extending health coverage to the vast majority of the uninsured."
Doctors said they were deeply disappointed that the bill would not repeal the formula used to calculate Medicare payments to doctors. Under that, doctors face a 21 percent cut in Medicare payments next month, with smaller cuts in the next few years.
House Democratic leaders have assured doctors that they will continue pressing for legislation to eliminate the cuts. Republicans insist that Congress find a way to cover the cost, which could exceed $200 billion over 10 years.
The health care bill would extend coverage to 32 million people at cost of $940 billion over 10 years, with the expense more than offset by revenues from new taxes and fees and reductions in government spending, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. It would reduce future deficits by $138 billion, the budget office said.
AARP, the lobby for older Americans, reiterated its support for the legislation on Friday.
"We believe this legislation brings us so much closer to helping millions of older Americans get quality, affordable health care," Bonnie M. Cramer, the chairwoman of the group's board, said in a statement.
Aides to the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, said he would attend the meeting between Mr. Obama and House Democrats on Saturday, to help reassure the House members that Senate Democrats were committed to quickly taking up final revisions, perhaps next week.