| Tanner votes against health care reform bill |
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Posted: Friday, March 26, 2010 11:57 am
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It was most certainly not a landslide decision to send a comprehensive health care reform bill to the desk of Pres. Barack Obama for his signature on Sunday.
With 219 House of Representative members voting for the measure and 212 voting against the bill, the measure awaits approval by the president.
There has been significant debate over a plan that would ultimately insure 32 million Americans and ban the practice by insurance companies to deny coverage based on pre-existing medical conditions, according to Obama
Eight District Con. John Tanner cast a vote against the measure on Sunday.
“Aside from national defense, no matter is more important to the future of our country than her financial integrity. Those who have followed my voting record throughout my Congressional service know how seriously I take such responsibility,” Tanner noted in a statement released Sunday after the bill’s vote.
“The unwillingness among those on the other side of the aisle to work in good faith to acknowledge and address the damage done by dangerous economic policy of the early years of this century is regrettable. There is no question our health care system needs reform. Since the outset of this national dialogue, I have talked with many West and Middle Tennesseans about how we can identify and fix what is broken within our system. Chief among these goals is the long-term reduction in health care costs for families, employers and the government.
“The reconciliation bill the House is being asked to consider is a tribute to the legislative process, because it has improved the Senate bill and the House bill. For these improvements, I commend the White House and House leaders for bringing this bill toward the center, where the vast majority of Americans find themselves aligned ideologically.
“After thorough and careful review of the legislation, I am unconvinced that the long-term trend of rising health care costs is adequately addressed and am therefore unable to support the legislation.”
A companion bill is expected to be voted on by the Senate with debate on the measure to begin today (Tuesday).
WCP 3.23.10
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