Posted on 11/08/2009 5:16:04 AM PST by listenhillary
Louisiana Republican Congressman Cao releases statement after voting in favor of Democratic health care reform bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- Louisiana Congressman Anh "Joseph" Cao on Sunday morning released a statement after he voted as the only Republican in favor of the Democratic health care reform bill.
The health care reform bill, dubbed the "Affordable Health Care for America Act" (H.R. 3962), passed the U.S. House of Representatives in a 220 - 215 vote.
"Tonight, I voted to keep taxpayer dollars from funding abortion and to deliver access to affordable health care to the people of Louisiana," Cao said in a statement released by his office. "I read the versions of the House [health reform] bill. I listened to the countless stories of Orleans and Jefferson Parish citizens whose health care costs are exploding – if they are able to obtain health care at all. Louisianans needs real options for primary care, for mental health care, and for expanded health care for seniors and children."
Cao wrote he obtained commitment from President Obama that he would work together to address the health care issues of Louisiana, including the FMAP crisis and community disaster loan forgiveness, as well as issues related to Charity and Methodist Hospitals. "I call on all my constituents to support me as I work with him on these issues."
Cao said: "I have always said that I would put aside partisan wrangling to do the business of the people. My vote tonight was based on my priority of doing what is best for my constituents." His yes vote received a lot of criticism from Republicans.
The Democratic health care reform bill also includes the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, which will keep in place current federal law on abortion funding and conscience protections for health care providers.
Cao said: "Before the Stupak-Pitts amendment was adopted as part of this health reform bill, the bill failed to explicitly include the longstanding policy prohibiting federal funding of elective abortion and plans which include elective abortion. Thank[s] to the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, taxpayer dollars will not go to supporting elective abortions, and for thousands of my constituents, this was a top priority. By incorporating this amendment into the health reform bill, my colleagues and I made this bill better, and that is an achievement of which I will always be proud."
Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, the archbishop of New Orleans, said he was grateful for Cao's vote. "I am grateful to Congressman Cao for his courage and determination to defend life. I appreciate his work to prevent abortion from being included in health care reform and for protecting conscience rights of health care professionals," he said. "I – and, I am sure, many in New Orleans would join me – [I] appreciate Congressman Cao's commitment to the people of New Orleans."
Yes, perhaps since his election was close, and he feels he likely won’t get re-elected in this heavily Democratic district, it seems like a very special Thank You deal was made, so that Pelosi can have at least one R on the final vote tally.
The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public’s money.
Alexis de Tocqueville
The Archbishop was commenting on Cao voting for the Stupack (anti-abortion) amendment.
VC sleeper agent? Had plenty of them before the Tet offensive.
We are in a strange new world.
I disagree, a solid wall of republicans and even RINOs standing united against this steaming pile of crap would have denied the Democrats the claim of bi-partisan approval.
Presidential material
“I listened to the countless stories of Orleans and Jefferson Parish citizens whose health care costs are exploding – if they are able to obtain health care at all.”
One of the largest hospitals in New Orleans is devoted primarily to indigent care. This is an outright lie to say that citizens of Orleans and Jefferson are unable to obtain heathcare. Look at the numbers:
Inpatient Days
55,500 adult/pediatric inpatient days (including ICU)
6,782 psychiatric inpatient days
1,744 neonatal ICU inpatient days
2,289 nursery inpatient days
Outpatients
147,216 outpatient encounters
46,628 ED encounters
71,505 outpatient clinic visits
Resources
2,446 employees
Total Collections: $339.4 million
State General Fund: $48.743 million
Medicaid: $68.296 million
Uncompensated Care: $154.441 million
Medicare: $21.176 million
Medicare Cost Reports: $6.177 million
Commercial/Private Pay: $23.164 million
Misc. Self Generated $17.425 million
Out of a total of over $339 million spent on treatment, only $23 million was paid for by private insurance. $154 million in services is given away for free with no Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement.
Here is the website to see the numbers for yourself:
http://www.lsuhospitals.org/Hospitals/MCLNO/MCLNO-Profile.htm
Louisiana ! At least the Saints are having a good year.
Yeah! What you said!
Yes, our first target in “Operation House Cleaning 2010”!
Once this guy saw that it passed he voted Yes. He cast the last vote.
I’m assuming he had a deal with GOP leaders. He’s from a deep deep blue district. Now he can say he voted for it.
Bottomline: This is the perfect example of why we’re better off with Dems in Blue districts than RINOs.
The only thing a RINO is good for is cover for Libs.
I read enough of his statement to know that he is a frickin’ moron. And that’s just being polite.
RINOS and Blue Dogs need to be voted out in 2010. No compromises.
A repub will never win in that district. His winning was a fluke. He’s a goner no matter how he votes.
Using my best Inigo Montoya voice: "'Universal'... You keep using dat word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
This guy was in debt up to his eyeballs. He was an independent before becoming a Republican. To me, that says he was NEVER a Republican. Like so many others, the “R” was just to distinguish himself from the candidate running with the “D.” Like scuzzy favors in NY23. No more, no less.
He can switch parties for the next election. No Jefferson on the ballot this time.
Now the “real” health bill will be written.... sigh :>(
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