A vote on a landmark, $940 billion health care bill could come as early as Sunday as House Democrats continue to push for a vote.
Thursday afternoon, Republicans lost an effort to force the House to hold a direct vote on the health overhaul bill.
Now, Democrats can use a special procedure, known as a “Slaughter Solution” by GOP members of the House, to allow the full body to automatically approve the measure when legislators vote to begin debating a separate proposal that would revise that larger health bill.
Kansas Congressional Republicans immediately came out against the Democrats’ move — which passed by a 222-203 vote — to use the special procedure.
“Deceiving the American people in order to pass a trillion-dollar nationalized health care plan smells of dirty Washington politics,” said U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan. “I oppose President Obama’s plans to take over one-sixth of our nation’s economy, and I oppose Speaker Pelosi’s plans to sneak it past the House without a vote.”
U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan., spoke on the House floor earlier this week, specifically calling for a clear up-or-down vote on the health care initiative.
“Speaker Pelosi has a 75-seat majority in the House and still can’t find a simple majority to vote for her plan that cuts Medicare, raises taxes, and centralizes health care decisions in Washington, D.C.,” Jenkins said. “So, she’s resorting to Washington tricks to pass a bill that will change 1/6 of the nation’s economy without allowing a clean up-or-down vote. That tells me there must be a better way. I continue to support a plan that will reduce premiums and expand access without a government takeover. This plan fails on both accounts.”
With debate, and a potential vote, scheduled for Sunday, President Barack Obama has put off his trip to Asia for a second time. Obama was slated to leave Sunday — the same day of the House vote.
The 10-year plan would provide coverage to 32 million people now uninsured through a combination of tax credits for middle class households and an expansion of the Medicaid program.
The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the measure would cost $940 billion. Analysts have projected that the legislation would reduce the federal deficit by $138 billion over its first 10 years, and continue to drive down that deficit after the first 10 years.
“Any Member who votes for the Senate-passed bill this weekend will be voting in favor of backroom deals like the ‘Cornhusker Kickback’ and ‘Louisiana Purchase,’ half-trillion dollars in tax hikes, half-trillion dollars in Medicare cuts, job-killing mandates on businesses and taxpayer funded abortions,” said U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Kan. “This bill will be devastating for Kansans and Americans across the country.”
There is also growing opposition to the bill among states. On Wednesday, Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter, a Republican, signed a measure requiring the state attorney general to file suit against the federal government if residents are forced to buy health insurance. Other states — 37 — are also debating similar legislation.
Matthew Clark can be reached at matthew.clark@morningsun.net or at 620-231-2600, Ext. 140
