Representative Ann Kirkpatrick, who had been one of the key undecided votes, said she would vote for the health reform bills today: The Hill got her statement:
"In my first year in Congress, I have always put the needs of my district first -- that's why I stood up to the President and congressional leadership and opposed the auto and bank government bailouts, the cap-and-trade bill and billions in deficit spending. I am doing so again by voting for this reform package. Health insurance reform is critical to ending denials of coverage based on pre-existing conditions, making sure our children can get the care they need and protecting our seniors from unaffordable prescription drug costs. I will be working to improve the bill moving forward, including addressing the potential costs for AHCCCS and eliminating politics-as-usual special deals like the Cornhusker Kickback."
According to David Dayen's whip count, Kirkpatrick is the 207th "yes" or "lean yes" vote. That puts the bill nine votes from passage, although the final nine will not be easy.
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