Congressman Frank Kratovil will vote against the health care reform bill

November 5, 10:16 PMBaltimore County Republican ExaminerAnn Miller

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Congressman Frank Kratovil
Photo/Frank Kratovil

Democrat Congressman Frank Kratovil, who beat Republican Andy Harris for the First Congressional District seat last year, “does not support the health care reform bill in its current form”, according to Tim McCann, his Chief of Staff. This news was told to protestors who accompanied me to the Storm The Capitol Protest today in Washington DC, who paid a visit to Mr. Kratovil’s congressional office after the rally at the Capitol.

Rep. Kratovil’s position seems to be a reversal of his previous support for the Democrat’s plan. And none too soon, as a vote on HR 3962 is planned for Saturday.

According to Gary Fike of Street, “The primary reason that was given [for lack of support] was that it wasn’t deficit-neutral and would cost too much money. He says he won’t vote for a bill that adds to the deficit.”

Linda Ertwine of Bel Air said, “His concern was the cost and the burden to the taxpayers. And also what it would do as far as the number of doctors available, because he represents the Eastern Shore, which is an isolated area. They said as of right now, he is not supporting the bill in its current form. We’re going to hold him to it.”

Linda said that someone asked if there was any concern of retaliation from his own party for not supporting the bill, and the reply was that he was still in the process of reading the bill and would make a decision based on the best interest of his constituents.

Linda was disappointed that they were only able to speak to staffers, even though it was widely known that there would be many visitors to the congressmen today due to the protest. She said, “He missed an opportunity today in choosing to not be present to talk directly to his constituents for something that could be life altering legislation for generations to come. Kratovil was a no show.”

Per the congressman’s website, one of his guiding principles in considering the legislation states, “I believe that any reform plan must begin with an understanding that any individual must be allowed to keep the coverage they have now if they so choose. I will not support any reform plan that forces consumers to give up a plan with which they are currently happy.”

One page 94, section 202 (c) of the bill, one can read the legislative verbage that prohibits the sale of private individual health insurance policies beginning in 2013, forcing individuals to purchase coverage through the federal government. This eliminates private insurance through attrition. The bill can be viewed here.

One can only conclude that, unless the bill is modified to be deficit-neutral and freely allow for the private insurance option, both of which are highly unlikely amendments, the constituents of Congressman Kratovil have his promise to vote against the Democrats’ version of health care reform.