Via TPMDC Jerry McNerney joins Rep. Mike Arcuri in switching from "yes" to "no" on health reform:
McNerney criticized the current version of healthcare reform passed by the U.S. Senate for the deals it makes with certain states, its lack of a public option and the inadequate number of people it extends coverage to. He said he would not vote in favor of that version of the bill if it comes back to the House.
"We want to get our healthcare up to international standards, and we want to do it in a way that is American," McNerney said in response to a question from the audience. "Costs are escalating at a rate that's unacceptable, and the people want something done."
This makes McNerney only the second member of the House to declare he is opposing the bill from the left. Representative Dennis Kucinich has already done so.
It would be nice to have a full transcript of McNerney's remarks, because the sections quoted here don't make much sense.
McNerney does not think the bill covers enough people, so apparently he values covering as many people as possible. Which is why, apparently, he will adopt a course of action that results in fewer people being covered.
On the other hand, if McNerney believes the bill will cause costs to increase more rapidly due to the lack of a public option, and / or simply opposes forcing people to purchase a private product, that is a consistent, non-contradictory position that at least makes sense.
Since this is a partial report at a townhall event, more clarity will be needed from McNerney's office to determine his rationale. Still, no matter what his rationale is, it is a pretty big blow to passing health reform. It is an even bigger blow to passing health reform with giving in to the Stupak bloc. |
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