Paulsen also deserves a whack for his vote on HCR bill

by: Joe Bodell

Sun Nov 08, 2009 at 08:53:05 AM CST

Of course, in this case, Paulsen actually was voting against his constituents' interests and not just against their political tendencies, making his vote just as bad as Peterson's, albeit for different reasons.

The DCCC was quick to slam Paulsen too -- from spokeswoman Jennifer Crider:

For years, middle class families have seen their health insurance costs skyrocket, while insurance companies have made enormous profits by limiting coverage.  Representative Erik Paulsen put big insurance companies first by opposing a bipartisan, common sense solution that will guarantee folks with stable, affordable health insurance they can count on. Paulsen said no to ending pre-existing medical conditions, like pregnancy, no to controlling costs for small businesses and middle class families, and no to closing the prescription doughnut hole for seniors.

Representative Erik Paulsen has the peace of mind of knowing he has tax-payer funded health insurance, but today Paulsen didn't hesitate to cast a partisan vote to block reform that would give the families he represent that same peace of mind that they too can see a doctor when they're sick.

The bipartisan Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) will reduce health care costs for the middle class, protect families' health care choices, end discriminatory practices by insurance companies, and provide more security for seniors [H.R. 3962, #887, 11/07/09].

For Minnesota's MN-03 Congressional District, the measure will:

Improve employer-based coverage for 508,000 residents.

Provide credits to help pay for coverage for up to 108,000 households.

Improve Medicare for 87,000 beneficiaries, including closing the prescription drug doughnut hole for 11,600 seniors.

Allow 21,100 small businesses to obtain affordable health care coverage and provide tax credits to help reduce health insurance costs for up to 18,400 small businesses.

Provide coverage for 8,000 uninsured residents.

Protect up to 900 families from bankruptcy due to health care costs.

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