Health
Care Reform Update: Messages to BFIA Readers from Senator Harkin and Representative Braley
by Alta Price, M.D.“Although Braley did not say so, I
heard others at the dinner say that Representative Boswell may not vote
for the bill. Those of you in his district may want to give him a call
and find out what’s up with that! “
Last Saturday, March 13, 2010 I attended the Scott County Democrats’ annual Red, White, and Blue banquet. Guests of honor included Senator Tom Harkin and first district Representative Bruce Braley. I asked each of them for comments on what is happening in health care reform right now to convey to the readers of Blog for Iowa.
Senator Harkin said that a package was being put together that the House will vote on late this week. The Senate will vote before they go on Easter recess. Unfortunately, there will be no public option in the bill, and he knew progressives would be disappointed. Attached to the health care “fix” bill will be a bill to make college more affordable. This bill will save money by cutting payments to the middlemen (banks) for student loans.
Senator Harkin also thanked all of us for our efforts in the state, including our work for Blog for Iowa. We had several exchanges of “thank you for all your efforts” and “no, thank you for everything you are doing” – ending in a draw with neither party willing to accept more of the gratitude.
The message from Representative Braley was a bit less sanguine. For one thing, Representative Braley was less confident that the vote would occur this week. He did say he thought leadership had come up with a way to carry out the vote that would allow them to pass the Senate health care reform bill and the “fix” bill at the same time, which he believed most members of the House would prefer. Unfortunately, Representative Braley was not sure they had enough votes lined up to pass the bill at this point. There is a lack of trust that the Senate will pass the “fix” bill, and the House members don’t think the Senate bill is as good as the bill the House passed. Representative Braley advised us that the status of the legislation will continue to change every day this week.
The message Representative Braley would like to send to BFIA readers is to continue to push hard over the next week (weeks?) to get this passed. Now would be an excellent time to contact your member of Congress and encourage them to finish up this bill.
Although Braley did not say so, I heard others at the dinner say that Representative Boswell may not vote for the bill. Those of you in his district may want to give him a call and find out what’s up with that!
I assume Representative Loebsack will vote for it, but you might want to check in with his office to be sure. Since the “anti’s” are no doubt calling, it is important for us to call and thank our Democratic members of Congress for their support.
I want to thank Tracy for doing such a good job in her post yesterday updating you on the health care bill and the process of getting it passed. Health care reform is vital to the well-being of Iowa’s working men and women and their families. I, too, will be posting smiley faces next Tuesday if we have a bill by then!
Finally, following up on my post from last week, here is some coverage in the Quad-Cities Online of our “Die-in” last Thursday, March 11. (By the way, if you read the ridiculous comments at the end of this story, and realize that those are the people calling the Congressional offices, you can see why it is vital that the saner members of our society also call our members of Congress to let them know we support health care reform!)
Check out this link to the event on YouTube provided by Mary McCann of Iowa Citizen Action Network.
Let’s act on Representative Braley’s request to push for health care reform this week! Click on the links to write our elected officials now and ask them to vote for the health care reform bills before the congress.
First District Congressman Bruce Braley
Second District Congressman Dave Loebsack
Third District Congressman Leonard Boswell
Fourth District Congressman Tom Latham
Fifth District Congressman Steve King
Alta
Price is a physician practicing Pathology in Davenport, Iowa. One of
the original Deaniacs, she stays involved with Democracy for America,
Iowa, and the Quad Cities. She advocates for quality, affordable health
care for all, primarily as a volunteer with Progressive Action for the
Common Good (Health Care Reform Issue Forum). Watch for Dr. Price's Health Care Reform Update every Tuesday here on Blog for Iowa. E-Mail Alta Price
Blog For Iowa 