| Tanner votes ‘no’ on bill |
By: John Brannon Messenger Staff Reporter
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Posted: Monday, November 9, 2009 9:42 pm
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| Congressman John Tanner voted “no” on the controversial health care reform bill that passed the House by a vote of 220-215 Saturday, according to Randy Ford, his legislative aide. The measure now goes to the Senate for action and an up or down vote. During the weekend, Tanner issued a formal statement. He said that in recent months he’s discussed with countless Tennesseans their ideas for how the government can achieve the goals of health care reform: “To keep what works in the present system and fix what is broken.” “All Americans should have access to affordable, quality health care and those who already have health coverage they like should be able to keep it,” he said in the statement. “Most of us also agree that the skyrocketing costs of medical care pose financial problems for families, small businesses, states and the federal government. “Addressing these costs, which will continue to rise, should be the primary goal of any bill passed by the House.“ He said that after careful review of the bill as well as an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office, he’s convinced the bill will not help control the long-term costs of health care. Instead, it puts in place an infrastructure that is not fiscally sustainable over time. “I am unable to support this legislation in its present form,” he said. “Most of us realize that serious reforms are needed to fix what is broken in our health care system. Specifically, we should work to reform health insurance; ensure no one can be denied health coverage because of a pre-existing condition; and slow the upward curve of health care costs. “I will continue talking with Tennesseans and working with others to achieve these goals, improve our health care system and ensure our reforms help solve, rather than contribute to, our nation’s long-term fiscal challenges.” Published in The Messenger 11.09.09 |
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