Tell John Adler to vote yes on Health Care Reform

by: Scott Weingart

Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 01:18:20 PM EST

This evening, the US House of Representatives may finally vote on a health care reform bill. None of the 177 House Republicans is expected to vote for the bill, so Democrats must find the 218 votes required to pass the bill from within their own caucus. At the moment, it is not at all clear whether or not the bill is going to pass, as several dozen Democrats are on record opposing the bill and a number of others are on the fence.

One of the Democrats refusing to support the bill is New Jersey Congressman John Adler. Adler concedes that the house bill is "a step in the right direction," but plans to vote against it because it doesn't control costs enough.

Late last month, Adler had a chance to support a bill with a public option that would reimburse health care providers at Medicare rates plus 5 percent. This plan would have saved a substantial amount of money over the current version, which will force the government to negotiate rates with providers just as private plans do. Had Adler and other Democratic opponents of the current bill had supported that plan, it may well have passed the House.

If today's vote fails, or doesn't happen at all, it is likely that the bill will be further weakened. There will be almost no chance of either house passing a public option that can credibly compete with private insurers, and health care costs will continute to rise at alarming rates.

Americans have been waiting for generations for universal healthcare, and tonight, the House of Representatives has a chance to make history. AFSCME is asking progressive voters around the country to call their Representative to express support for health care reform. Call John Adler today and tell him to support the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

Scott Weingart :: Tell John Adler to vote yes on Health Care Reform

Tags: health care reform, John Adler, (All Tags)

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Tell John Adler to vote yes on Health Care Reform | 4 comments

Why did Adler leave the Senate? (0.00 / 0)

In the State Senate, John Adler had the freedom and power to be one of the state's more effective and progressive legislators. In the House, he is constrained by both a lack of seniority and a center-right district that will most likely throw him out next year solely because without a compelling statewide race to inspire turnout, there will not be enough Ds and Us to re-elect him.

And even if he were to somehow survive next year's re-election campaign, which is highly unlikely, it is unlikely that both he and Rob Andrews will survive the redistricting process that will follow.

Based on the likelihood that John Adler's Congressional career is probably going to be a short one, I do not understand why he wouldn't make the most of his time in office by doing as much good as possible.

That said, I do not see the point in people who do not live in Adler's district calling him about his vote. If anything, there should have been a more organized effort to lobby for his vote by phone banking his district and encouraging his constituents to call him and voice there opinion.

This is not the first time that we have read about Adler's weakness on this issue, so the fact that people are just talking about doing something to move him in the right direction today as opposed to the last few months is ridiculous.

Is it likely that Adler's vote is going to make or break this bill? If not, I think that he should be left alone to vote his conscience as there are other issues that people can spend their time calling on right now that can have an immediate impact on progressive public policy, namely the fight for marriage equality in NJ.

I am not saying this because I care more about marriage equality than healthcare reform as both issues are essential components of a progressive policy agenda, but at a time when the amount of time that people have to make phone calls is limited, I think that calls to state legislators for marriage equality can win more votes than calls to John Adler's office.

by: Bertin Lefkovic @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 21:39:25 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

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I think if you are being fair... (0.00 / 0)

...you would not suggest that today is the first time "people" have suggested contacting Adler. Obviously it has not been effective in the end.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

by: Hopeful @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 22:24:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Rob Andrews is speaking now (0.00 / 0)

For 3 minutes, he is corrected Republican falsehoods.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

by: Hopeful @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 22:39:38 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

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NJ politics never ceases to amaze me (0.00 / 0)

I never would have imagined that Rob Andrews could be better on an issue than John Adler. I wonder if they would be taking the same positions if their districts were switched.

If Adler can survive the 2010 elections and NJ loses a Congressional seat as predicted, the redistricting process will be very interesting.

by: Bertin Lefkovic @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 23:44:42 PM UTC

[ Parent ]