Two Georgia Blue Dogs vote in favor of Health-care Reform

November 10, 8:31 PMAtlanta Political Buzz ExaminerEwa Kochanska

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Georgia Representatives David Scott (District 13) and Sanford Bishop (District 2) were two of the 28 Blue Dog Congressional Democrats who voted for the Health-care Reform in the U.S. House of Representatives last Saturday. The bill passed 220-215.

The legislation, witch included the controversial Public Option, has been disputed around the country for several months now, and resulted in many passionate debates in Congress as well as among constituents at town-hall meetings.

In David Scott’s 13th District, the largest group of voters is "black females" followed by "black males." Women are more likely to favor a government ran plan such as Public Option, and the African-American community still supports Barack Obama very strongly. In this district, non-whites are a significant majority.

For Scott to support the plan with Public Option was no surprise. He has made health-care a top priority in his political agenda. As long ago as 2007 Scott wrote: “It is no secret that access to healthcare is one of the most important issues facing our country today. Throughout my years in public service, from the Georgia legislature to the U.S. House of Representatives, I have made it one of my main objectives to ensure and promote the health and well-being of my fellow Georgians, especially those populations who have been hardest hit by the gap in access to services and increasing disparities in care.

The facts are that minority Americans have worse health status, more chronic conditions, lower rates of insurance coverage and less access to care. This is a sad state of affairs. Furthermore, African Americans are more likely to use the emergency room as a main source of medical care. This further demonstrates the fact that many of these individuals have no access to a family doctor, have no insurance to speak of and in most cases have put off seeking care, which only further increases the cost of healthcare for others.” source

Furthermore, Scott stated his support for Public Option at one of his town hall meetings that ended in a screaming match few weeks ago. Some of his constituents at the meeting demanded a conversation about the issue and Scott refused it, saying the meeting was not about Health- care Reform (he did eventually hold a health-care town hall). So it is no surprise that Scott voted for the bill.

But this vote will certainly come back to him next year, when he's up for a re-election in which he's being challenged by a conservative Michael Frisbee. Frisbee will be trying to get 39,000 signatures to be able to get on the ticket as an independent candidate in January 2010.  The issues of health-care and Public Option, considering how active the Tea Party movement has been in Georgia,  might just rally the troops enough to make Frisbee a serious player in next year’s elections.

Sanford Bishop, representing Georgia District 2, also supported the bill and is also on a ballot next year. “After months of studying the various proposals, listening to feedback from my constituents on both sides of the issue in town hall meetings, informal discussions, letters, e-mails and faxes, and after prayerful reflection, I concluded that I must support the health care reform legislation,” Bishop said. “I believe it would improve the lives of my constituents by ensuring that they have access to quality, affordable health care. H.R. 3962, while not perfect, makes substantial progress in this regard.” source  

The 2nd District has a majority of "black females", with the second largest group being "white females" – both groups are likely to support Government provided health-care or insurance option. But one cannot ignore the growing resentment Georgians have been articulating about fiscal irresponsibility of some in Congress.

The Health-care Reform as was passed in the House last weekend will add to the deficit (although Democrats argue eventually it will create jobs and cut health care spending) and has a price tag of $1.3 trillion.  Bishop is being challenged next year by a state representative Mike Keown, a Republican who, according to his website  received more votes in his district than John McCain or Barack Obama. Very popular among his constituents, Keown offers a decidedly more conservative political agenda. A statement on Keown's website reads as follows: 

“Like you and a growing number of Americans, Representative Mike Keown is alarmed about the direction of our nation. Southwest Georgians are conservative, patriotic, independent, hard-working, enterprising, family people. You deserve someone who shares, lives, and proclaims those values. Unfortunately, we are stuck with a professional politician who listens to liberal California House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, left wing environmentalists, big labor, and Washington lobbyists while ignoring you.
In our nation’s fight for independence, Minutemen put aside their personal endeavors to respond in defense of their fellow citizens. Mike Keown is a modern day Minuteman. He has answered the call to proclaim a common-sense conservative message that represents your values and your dreams for you, your children, and your grandchildren.” Source  

AP photos: 1st  - Rep. David Scott, D-Ga. , left, Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga. , and Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, R-Ga. , take their seats as the Georgia Congressional delegation meets over Georgia's use of Lake Lanier's water on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 21, 2009. 

2nd -This photo was taken March 31, 2009 on Capitol Hill in Washington shows Rep. Sanford Bishop,D-Ga. questioning Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, during a House Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies subcommittee hearing.