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."
To be fair, Cao has been with us on everything else. He voted against Capp and Trade despite being personally wooed by Obama. He’s not a RINO and his election was an anomaly. A significant portion of Dollar Bill Jefferson’s supporters had thought he won and didn’t show up to vote in the December ‘08 runoff. It’s a lock that this supposed RINO will be replaced by a hardcore leftist that will never vote with the Right. That will be a loss.
You’re cutting on LA. and your state of Virginia suported Obama, Webb and Warner? Please, you should be ashamed.
I know. My reply was a singular rebut of the poster’s not-too-veiled anti-Catholicism.
Although you were "cowed" by the RATs, actions speak louder than words.
I don't care what you say now...YA SUCK!
From what I can tell, this bill is going to radically worsen access - for everyone.
AND, it's not going to cover anybody that isn't already covered.
Just like Waxman-Markey, it's purpose is to put control structures in place that can be run by the Executive Branch, and thereby avoid blame on legislators.
What these gentleman do not realize is that there is no way the rapid abortofans will allow this amendment to stand.
They also do not realize that this bill goes way beyond assuring those who find currently are ineligable for public coverage but unable to afford or find private coverage can have equal access to health care.
It is a quagmire that will strip us of our individual freedom and screw over the economy for decades to come.
The overall result will be the loss of dignity and freedom of the individual which is contrary to Catholic teaching. Even if it does help some. But these could have been helped in many other ways that did not involve this mess of a bill.
That has been one of the biggest lies ever touted by those trying to push socialism down our throats: that people can’t get health care if they don’t have insurance!! That is patently false as I know from both personal experience and the experience of friends. They get care just like anyone else does - the best! They just get a bigger bill afterwards... can’t believe some are so greedy that they are willing to sell their liberty birthright in exchange for the government to wipe their behinds!! Disgusting!!
I remember the 1993 tax bill when a certain Democrat congresswoman (in a highly conservative district in PA) was sitting on the fence, not knowing which way to vote.
She sold her vote when President Clinton agreed to have an economic round-table discussion in her district. Not pork, not favors to bring in new jobs, but a ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION!!!
After the vote, the GOP members started to wave goodbye to her in the chambers. The following year, she was trounced bigtime by the voters.
Cao, you better start thinking of switching parties. Unless it’s an open primary, you’re DOA.
Perhaps the FBI will need to raid your refrigerator to see if there are stacks of Benjies, wraped in tinfoil.
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