Here’s the full Herseth Statement on her no vote for Pelosicare
From: “Hart, Betsy”
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 11:22:55 -0700
HERSETH SANDLIN STATEMENT ON HOUSE HEALTH CARE BILL
Washington, DC-U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin today announced that while the House health care bill includes a number of good provisions, it is not the right answer for South Dakota because it could unintentionally threaten existing access to health care in our state, and it does not include sufficient cost-containment and deficit reduction measures. She will oppose the bill, which is scheduled to be on the House floor Saturday evening.
Herseth Sandlin said, “It’s critical that we control rising health care costs, increase quality and value within our health care system, and improve access to health care and affordable health insurance coverage. The strength of our communities in South Dakota depends on the health of our people.”
She continued, “Unfortunately, the House bill misses a critical opportunity to address access, quality and costs on the one hand, and solidify our fiscal future on the other hand. I am convinced this Congress and the President will achieve fundamental reform because our country must fix what’s broken in our health care system. There is simply too much at stake for South Dakota’s families and businesses, who have either seen their premiums rise sharply year after year, or who still have no access to an affordable plan.”
Herseth Sandlin added, “While the House bill does not yet represent the right formula for South Dakota I remain optimistic that, with the House and Senate working together with the President, we will achieve a good bill for South Dakota during this Congress. The time has come for fundamental reform that meets the twin goals of improved access, affordability and coverage, but also fiscal responsibility over the long-term. We need to fix what’s broken in the system.”
Herseth Sandlin pointed to the potential impact of the House bill on Medicaid provisions on South Dakota’s state budget, and the reductions in payments for long-term care under Medicare as areas of serious concern.
Underlying her concerns about access is a concern about the effect of the House bill on the nation’s long term deficit, and more specifically, its failure to start bringing down the deficit and health care costs in the long term. Herseth Sandlin noted that skyrocketing long-term costs will bankrupt the Medicare trust fund by 2017.
The House bill does include a number of good provisions which enjoy strong support among South Dakotans. Herseth Sandlin said, “I strongly support provisions in this bill to require insurance companies to cover people with preexisting conditions, and end the insurance companies’ ability to cancel coverage when someone becomes sick. These practices must end. In addition, I support establishing health insurance exchanges to provide a transparent and competitive marketplace for individuals and businesses to buy more affordable health care plans.”
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Betsy Hart
Press Secretary
Office of Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
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Comments
CURD!
is the only reason I can think of that she was so scared!
Do you know how upset the dems are going to be now? the base is going to be so mad at the GOP for scaring her out of voting for something that is good for America!
I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shoot Dems complain to me all the time about the right wing tea party stuff but if herseth can’t even vote for it. This bill must suck!!!
What is this baloney about paying for illegals? They are not here legally and should be sent home. I can tell you when I visit Mexico they don’t pay for my healthcare. It was cash upfront!
I’ll bet Betsy Hart was gagging having to write that one. The problem with Herseth Sandlin’s vote is that all those idealistic young folks who get into politics end up seeing how money corrupts decent people. Herseth Sandlin is letting down a lot of folks, starting with the smart young people who work for her. Shame on you, Stephanie.
She didn’t come out against the bill until Friday. Translated…Pelosi gave her permission on Friday to vote no because her yes vote was not needed. If Herseth truly believed the stuff she said above, she would have said so weeks ago. She didn’t. Enough said.
Weeks ago! She said this same stuff back in July. She’s always had these concerns. They weren’t addressed in this bill. I doubt a bill that passed by 2 votes – Pelosi said “yah, you don’t have to vote for it.” Yah think maybe SHS is actually working for the people? She does something right – and she’s still chastised.
If she said the same stuff back in July, why hasn’t she made her opinion known of late. She always has said she is weighing her options blah blah. She wouldn’t be on the fence if she knew she wasn’t going to vote for it. Typical politician and weather watcher.
She is reeling on the latest election results and is realizing that she needs to take care of herself first so she can come back to SD and claim she wasn’t on the Pelosi train.
Pelosi didn’t need Sandlin’s vote! It has nothing to do with SD.