Anti-Gay "Democrat" Mike Ross: "Health Care Reform is Not About Providing Health Care to Uninsured"

Yet another anti-gay "Democrat" who gets free and subsidized health care from the government opposes  providing free or subsidized health care to uninsured Americans. Rep. Mike Ross—the anti-gay leader of the conservative House Blue Dog Coalition who has a 30 percent HRC rating and voted for the Federal Marriage Amendment and against ENDA—says providing health care to uninsured Americans is "not what this health care reform debate is about."

In making his comments, Ross, who is the centrist Blue Dogs' health reform point man, questioned one of the primary healthcare goals of the White House and Democratic leaders. "That is a side benefit to healthcare reform and an important one," Ross told the Arkansas Educational Television Network. Instead, the fifth-term congressman said the bill should focus on "cost containment."

The influential fifth-term Democrat identified several provisions that would prevent him from voting for the bill On the public option, Ross said he would not vote for a plan that would "force government-run healthcare on anyone. Period." But he also said that the House bill contained a public plan that is "strictly…an option." Providing government subsides for abortions, coverage for illegal immigrants, rationing of care, and deficit increases comprised Ross' deal-breakers.

Speaking on a radio show this afternoon, President Obama assured callers "none of the proposals will offer coverage to illegal immigrants", but, of course, they will continue to be treated at emergency rooms as per federal law.

Does the White House need a "strategy" to convince Democrats to support health care "reform" that covers the uninsured?

Comments

[Sean Beasley]

Just because they are Democrats does not mean they will be progressive.

It also doesn't mean they will support Democratic ideals!

[Diva1961]

I thought one of the main issues for this health care plan was bringing medical insurance to the uninsured. That's what most of the talk about was at the beginning, till it verred off course and became this circus about nothing but vulgarity.

[Jim]

Rod asks: “Does the White House need a ‘strategy’ to convince Democrats to support health care "reform" that covers the uninsured?”

Yes, it’s called campaign reform. Until all campaigns are publicly funded in their entirety, until all outside campaign contributions to politicians are made strictly illegal, and until laws are passed to outlaw the giving of all corporate-funded “rewards” to Congressmen after their governmental terms are over, then men such as this, whose services have simply been purchased by the highest bidder, will rule our lives.

[kayman]

Not surprised. "Blue Dogs" Democrats are the reason why I don't care for the DNC at all. They know they could easily throw those 30 under the bus and keep it moving, but choose to include their useless asses in the "Convention". Mike Ross is too busy trying to make himself look like he is on the asinine's side and doing the right thing FOR THEM. "Blue Dogs" are what I call modern-day "sideline Dixiecrats" that during the Civil Rights Movement wouldn't do anything other than cosign on the segregationists' foolishness publicly when forced to.

[Kevjack]

Democrats are looking more and more like their 1960s selves, when they couldn't agree on anything and split the party. If Dems had the guts they could go it alone on health care and get true reform. Reform means coverage for everyone (which is the first thing you need to control costs). Reform also means better/more competition (certainly the only way to bring premiums down and contain costs in the long run).

Nobody said this would be easy, but it is worth fighting for.

[Luther]

Jim, you summed it up best, until these people stop taking millions from those who oppose good health care for all citzens, its doomed, no matter who the POTUS is.

[nwjeff]

I will agree with Jim and it is time that campaign reform gets signed in. The problem is just way too many politicains depend on corporate dollars to bankroll them. But a public option should not be on the drawing board. This was once one of Obama's primary keys in health care reform on the campaign trail. Looks like Mr Yes we can might be turning into Mr. Better be careful.