U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire announced Friday he will vote against the health care reform measure.
Altmire, a Democrat, represents the 4th District, which includes Lawrence County. Until Friday, he had refused to say what he planned to do regarding Democratic-backed health care legislation.
President Obama and congressional leaders are struggling to round up votes to pass the reform package. Reportedly, Obama had spoken with Altmire several times on the subject.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the issue Sunday.
In a statement posted on his Web site, Altmire said: “I regret that this year-long process of debating health care reform has resulted in a final product that I cannot support. The cost of inaction on health care is great, but it would be an even bigger mistake to pass a bill that could compound the problem of skyrocketing health care costs.
“Simply moving money around within the existing system, rather than enacting real delivery system reform, might change who pays the bill, but it does not improve the quality of care or reduce costs for families, small businesses, or the federal government.
“It creates a system of winners and losers, rather than reforming the system in a way that lets everyone win. It is estimated that after passage of this bill, federal health care expenditures would likely increase above what they would under current law.”
However, the Congressional Budget Office forecasts the reform package will reduce federal deficits by $138 billion over the next 10 years.
Prior to entering Congress, Altmire worked in the health care industry. Health care reform was a central component of his first campaign for the 4th District seat in 2006.
The historic legislation is expected to extend coverage to an estimated 32 million Americans who lack it and forbid insurers to deny coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions.
For the first time, most Americans would be required to purchase insurance, and they would face penalties if they refused. Billions of dollars would be set aside for subsidies to help families at incomes of up to $88,000 a year afford the cost. And the legislation also provides for an expansion of Medicaid that would give government-paid health care to millions of the poor.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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