The Third House Committee Passes Health Insurance Bill-- But Why Did John Barrow Vote With The Republicans Against It?

John Barrow, the worst Democrat in the House

And now it'll all up be to the anti-democratic bastion of corruption, colossal egos and the status quo: America's very own House of Lords. Late last night the final House Committee working on President Obama's health care reform, the Energy & Commerce Committee, passed the bill 31-28. All 23 Republicans, from extremist like Roy Blunt (MO), John Shadegg (AZ), Nathan Deal (GA) and Marsha Blackburn (TN) to supposed mainstream conservatives like Mary Bono-Mack (CA), Lee Terry (NE), Greg Walden (OR) and Fred Upton (MI) voted no, no, no, never, never, never. These are the people who would have opposed Medicare, Social Security, the minimum wage, the 8 hour workday, consumer protections... the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War and the abolition of slavery. Conservatives opposed all of those things and progressives carried the day and made America a better place.

There are 36 Democrats on the committee so who cares what 23 die-hard conservative obstructionists have to say? The problem in this particular committee is that it is infested with bribe besotted, conservative Democrats, including 8 snarling Blue Dogs. In the end the committee chair, Henry Waxman (D-CA), was able to defang the Blue Dogs and make a reasonable deal. Only 3 of the worst Blue Dogs-- Jim Matheson (UT), Charlie Melancon (LA) and John Barrow (GA)-- crossed the aisle and voted with their Republican allies-- joined by conservative Democrats Rick Boucher (VA) and Bart Stupak (MI).

It's a miracle that Waxman was able to pull this off in the face of what looked like implacable Blue Dog and Republican opposition, fueled by an onslaught of thinly disguised legalized bribes from Big Insurance and the Medical-Industrial Complex-- bribes targeted at the most conservative members who were judged to be the most likely to sell out their constituents' interests for the right price. "Today," said Waxman after the vote, "is a historic moment for the House of Representatives and a defining moment for our country. It is a significant victory that all three committees in the House have worked together to pass comprehensive health reform legislation for all Americans. This bill will deliver the results the nation’s health care system so desperately needs: lower costs, better quality, and broader coverage. I hope that when we return from recess, the House will act expeditiously to enact this bill into law." He's not exaggerating. In her own statement after passage, Speaker Pelosi made it clear why getting this bill, America's Affordable Health Care Choices Act, out of this third committee was so important.

For more than 60 years, we have tried as a nation to make quality, affordable health insurance coverage available to all Americans. Tonight’s vote marks the next step in the most successful effort in our history.

All three House committees with jurisdiction over health care have now passed health insurance reform legislation. The reforms now advancing to a vote in the full House of Representatives reflect the diversity of our Members. Our legislation includes the best ideas to build on what works and fix what’s broken in our health care system.

Our reforms will hold insurance companies accountable, offering stable coverage and lower costs-- even if you get sick, have a pre-existing condition such as diabetes or cancer, or lose or change your job. Americans deserve no less.

In the coming weeks, we will work to produce a strong piece of legislation that the House will approve in September.

You may have noticed that one of the Blue Dogs who voted no was Blue America's old nemisis, Georgia reactionary, John Barrow. Barrow is widely considered the single worst Democrat in Congress. He represents a solidly Democratic district, campaigns as a progressive moderate and then consistently votes with Republicans. He has been disrespectful to working families' intelligence in his district and is looked at as one of Congress' most cowardly and craven members. Last year, a progressive African-American state senator from Savannah, Regina Thomas, challenged him in the primary and Barrow swamped her for one reason and one reason only: the intercession at the urging of Rahm Emanuel by Barack Obama. Obama won Barrow the African-American vote in the primary and eviscerated Senator Thomas's campaign. Since then Barrow has returned to Congress and has been one of a small handful of Blue Dogs to consistently support the obstructionist, anti-Obama right-wing agenda. Another great call by Rahm Emanuel!

But maybe Georgians don't need health care. Perhaps the folks in Barrow's sprawling district are flush and thriving and just want to be felt alone. Uh... no. Barrow's district is one of the poorest in Georgia and is more in need of assistance than most of the state and Georgia in general can definitely use some assistance. Our friends at the Center For American Progress have taken a good look at the health care situation in Georgia and come up with the facts and figures:

• 430 residents of Georgia are losing health insurance every day, and 14,000 Americans nationwide lose insurance daily.

• The average family premium in Georgia costs $900 more because our system fails to cover everyone-- and $1,100 more nationally.

• Our broken health insurance system will cost the Georgia economy as much as $9 billion this year in productivity losses due to the uninsured-- and up to $248 billion nationally.

• In Georgia there has been a 18 percent increase in the uninsured rate since 2007.

• 1,880,000 are uninsured today in Georgia.

• In Georgia the combined market share of the top two insurers is 69 percent, limiting employers’ and families’ health insurance options as well as the care they receive.

• The average family premium will rise from $12,471 to $21,280 by 2019 in Georgia without health care reform.

• In Georgia, without health care reform, 248,160 will have lost coverage from January 2008 to December 2010.

• In Georgia, 827,000 people would gain coverage as a result of the House health care reform bill by 2013, and 1,331,000 would gain coverage by 2019.

• A typical Georgia family will pay $21,280 for health coverage in 2019 without health care reform.

Last year Blue America was the only national progressive organization working to retire John Barrow. Rahm Emanuel foiled us. We promise to try again in 2010. Please help us; we can't do it without you. But together, we CAN do it! All four members of the Energy and Commerce Committee who Blue America has helped win their races-- Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Bruce Braley (D-IA), and Peter Welch (D-VT)-- voted in favor of the bill. In 2010, aside from replacing John Barrow with a Democrat who will fight for working families, we expect to help replace at least 4 of the Energy and Commerce Committee anti-family Republicans-- John Shadegg (AZ), Mary Bono-Mack (CA), Fred Upton (MI), and Lee Terry (NE)-- and to work vigorously to prevent far right corruptionist Roy Blunt from winning the open Missouri Senate seat. A reminder:



UPDATE: Let Blue Swine Know What You Think Of His Anti-Health Care Stand

John Barrow will be back in GA-12 and holding townhall meetings. Perhaps if you're a constituent of his, you should consider going to one of his meetings and letting him know what Americans expect from their representatives. He has 3 pitifully short "Health Care Congress on the Corner" events scheduled so far:

Country Buffet
Sandersville, GA 31082
Saturday, August 1, 2009
11am-noon

Scoops
Milledgeville, GA 31061
Saturday, August 1, 2009
3pm- 4:30

Hancock County Library
Sparta, GA 31087
Saturday, August 1, 2009
1pm- 2pm

Nothing in Savannah or August, where most of his constituents live? How ironic!