State Democratic Party to Baird, Smith: Vote yes on health care

posted 07:33 PM 11/06
Permanent Link.

U.S. Rep. Brian Baird has gone his own way on the U.S. occupation of Iraq, on climate change and now he's crossing his own party leaders in Washington state over the national health care reform bill, H.R. 3962.

State Democratic Party chairman Dwight Pelz said today in a phone call that Baird, whose 3rd district overlaps Olympia, and U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, whose 9th district covers Lacey, both should vote for the bill — because the president wants it. Baird said today he won't until he gets more cost estimates from the Congressional Budget office.

"The Washington state Democratic Party expects all of the members of our congressional delegation to support the president and Speaker Pelosi. And vote for this bill," Pelz said, rejecting Baird’s contention he needs more price data.

Asked if it wasn't reasonable to hold out for the cost numbers, Pelz said: "There comes a time to move an issue like health care forward. Presidents Roosevelt, Truman, Johnson and Clinton tried in our lifetime. This is an historic moment. And it's time for Democrats in Congress to vote for this bill."

Four other Washington Democrats support it, and three Republicans oppose it, including Rep. Dave Reichert of Auburn.

Neither Baird nor Pelz could say how many votes Speaker Nancy Pelosi is shy of winning the bill's passage in the House, but the lack of votes was delaying a floor vote past Saturday. Pelz said his comments about Baird also apply to Smith. Smith has long expressed concerns that the reforms don't do enough to rein in medical costs and encourage quality of care over quantity of procedures.

Asked what arm-twisting he plans, Pelz said: "We've let their people know all along we expect them to support this bill. Frankly for nine months I've had Democrats angry if they (lawmakers) wouldn't support single payer. We didn't criticize members of Congress if they didn't support single payer. But we've let them know we expect them to support the president when a bill is produced. That is what we have now."

I talked to Baird briefly this afternoon before Pelz weighed in, and the six-term Democrat said House leaders made improvements in the reform bill — from allowing government negotiations over prescription drug prices under Medicare Part D to allowing cross-state purchases of health insurance. But he said his vote is like buying a house and he wants to know the price.

So, will he vote for H.R. 3962 when the CBO weighs in, perhaps later in the weekend?

"Depends what the data say," he said. "I at least want to see the number … What's very frustrating here is well-intentioned people on both sides are calling and saying, 'Vote yes or vote no.' … They don't have the numbers either."

Baird was a holdout once before this year on a major bill dealing with energy and climate change, and he eventually voted for it after winning concessions that allow the counting of downed Forest Service timber for use in biomass energy production. But after the House passed the measure in July, it remains stalled in the Senate.

"So the question is, why make members walk the plank, so to speak, without necessary information?" Baird asked. "I've asked my leadership and I've asked the White House, what is the hurry on this?"

Baird said he thinks Democrats also should allow more amendments than a single Republican replacement bill. But he gave his party credit for putting the measure out for public view longer than most other bills.

As I noted in my previous post this evening, Baird's most active GOP opponent in the 2010 election, David Castillo, praised Baird for opposing the bill. But Castillo also had strong words of criticism for Baird, saying he didn't address certain failings in the bill.

Baird, by the way, said he is not holding out for a new Columbia River bridge.

Comments

Castillo praises Baird's 'no' vote on health reform but slams him, too

posted 07:23 PM 11/06

U.S. Rep. Brian Baird's most active GOP opponent in the 2010 race, David Castillo, has called off his press conference for Saturday morning. Castillo planned to slam Baird and urge his no vote on the health-care reform bill, H.R. 3962. But Baird has set off fireworks with his own party by saying he won't vote for the bill until he sees cost figures.

UPDATE 2: Baird says he is 'no' vote on health-reform bill

posted 07:14 PM 11/06

U.S. Rep. Brian Baird has put out a statement, saying the House health-care bill due for a vote tomorrow is better than earlier versions. But he cannot vote for H.R. 3962 without seeing more numbers on costs.

Historic health-reform vote gets lots of local pressure

posted 11:42 AM 11/06

Olympia bakery owner Gene Otto was among those at the U.S. Capitol this week as Congress readied for its historic votes on a comprehensive national health-care reform. The vote could take place as soon as Saturday on H.R. 3962.

Barbara Madsen elected chief justice on state Supreme Court

posted 06:27 PM 11/05

Justice Barbara Madsen won election today as chief justice of the state Supreme Court, succeeding veteran chief Justice Gerry Alexander next year.

No concession: local R-71 foes see 'hand of God' helping

posted 10:44 AM 11/05

Two South Sound pastors who worked against the passage of Referendum 71 got back to me with comments about the direction vote counts are going on the “everything but marriage” domestic partnership law.

Sen. Murray declares a win for same-sex partners

posted 07:10 PM 11/04

Referendum 71 is passing tonight by nearly 38,000 votes, double the margin of victory on election night Tuesday.

State GOP claims a few wins in Tuesday's voting

posted 04:02 PM 11/04

State Republican Party chairman Luke Esser put a positive spin on Tuesday's election results, noting his party has had net gains of seats in the state Legislature for two straight elections.

Washington Poll projects R-71 win by 81,000 votes

posted 02:47 PM 11/04

A heck of a lot of votes remain to be counted statewide, but University of Washington researchers have crunched the numbers and say Referendum 71's expansion of domestic partner rights to include "everything but marriage" is an electoral winner.

Two Olympia races in play as ballot-counts resume

posted 01:42 AM 11/05

Thurston County elections workers were prepping more ballots for counting later today, and two Olympia City Council races may be hanging in the balance.