The health care bill being voted on today does not make enough significant changes to earn my support.  From the beginning of this debate, I have been opposed to the government option and any legislation that puts additional burdens on our small businesses and tax-paying citizens.  H.R. 3962 contains a government option and surcharges and mandates on small businesses and individuals.  People and small businesses across the country are struggling to make ends meet and this is no time to place additional burdens on them.

I believe we do need health care cost reform, but cost reform that doesn’t fundamentally change a system with which most Americans are satisfied.  I fear this bill will not reduce long-term costs, and our debt and deficits will suffer and balloon in the years ahead.  I will vote no on the Affordable Health Care for America Act when it comes to the floor for consideration unless it is drastically changed.

What I Support in Healthcare Reform

·         No Discrimination Based on Pre-existing Conditions and Protections Against Dropping Coverage

No one should be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions, and no American should have to worry about losing his or health insurance for no apparent reason.  Any health care reform legislation must include these basic reforms.

·         Competition Across State Lines

I support allowing all businesses and individuals the opportunity to purchase insurance from entities beyond their state lines and to help meet our goal of greater competition and reduced paperwork.  This is not an all-encompassing solution, but I do think this is an important factor in lowering health care insurance costs. 

·         Primary Care Physician Incentives

To address a shortage of doctors, I believe we need to incentive increased primary care physicians, especially in ways that encourage them to move to rural, underserved districts to practice medicine.  The House health care bill has some incentives for rural primary care, and I applaud these provisions.

·         Medical Liability Reform

Medical liability reform is an important component of overall health care reform.  I believe we must consider responsible, effective approaches that confer upon physicians the confidence to treat their patients and combat rising costs.  We can do this while also prioritizing the safety and legal rights of patients and improving the quality of care. 

·         Protect Small Businesses

During these tough economic times, we cannot place additional burdens on small businesses.  I am concerned that any taxes or mandates on small businesses could slow our economic growth even further.   Therefore, I will only support legislation that eases the burdens on small businesses and encourages and makes it easier for them to provide health insurance to their employees.

·         Protect the Sanctity of Life

Any legislation passed must maintain  and uphold current restrictions on abortions.  I am pro-life, and believe that life begins at conception.  For over 30 years, federal funding for abortion has been banned and those restrictions should remain in any health care reform legislation.  Taxpayer dollars should not go towards performing a controversial procedure to which many deeply religious Americans are fundamentally opposed.

·         Restrictions on Illegal Immigrants

Taxpayer dollars should not go to providing health care to those here illegally.  Millions of Americans are without health care and we cannot insure illegal immigrants on the backs of hard-working American citizens.  There must be stringent citizenship requirements on any health care reform legislation.

Additionally, I have signed onto several letters expressing concern over specific parts of the bill.  You can view those letters here:

Bright supports small businesses in health care reform legislation

Bright sends letter opposing small business surtax in health care legislation

Bright: health care reform cannot fund abortions

Bright, Ellsworth urge tougher abortion restrictions in health care legislation

Bright supports Blue Dog principles in health care reform

If you would like to look at the current healthcare bill, please click here

There are also many articles from sources in the district outlining my opposition to the current legislation.  You can read them below.

Even safe Dems feeling at risk

Jonathan Allen

Politico

November 4, 2009

Jim Costa’s path to reelection isn’t the toughest among House Democrats, but that doesn’t mean the California Democrat feels safe voting for a House health care overhaul bill that he says is too costly and does too little to help rural districts like his own.

“I think we’re all vulnerable next year,” said Costa, who won with nearly three-quarters of the vote last year in a district that President Barack Obama carried with 60 percent.

Costa is one of a handful of moderate House Democrats from relatively stable districts who aren’t yet on board with the health care bill and whose “no” votes could force colleagues in more marginal districts to cast offsetting — and potentially perilous — “yes” votes.

Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.) — from a 59 percent Obama district — is another. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), who won with 69 percent of the vote in 2008 and has never gotten less than 59 percent, is also in play, calling himself “undecided.”

Brian Baird (D-Wash.), a politically safe liberal who was once a harsh critic of the legislation, said he has moved from leaning “no” to “undecided.”

As the controversial centerpiece of their agenda nears the House floor, Democratic leaders are reviewing their whip lists to see which lawmakers can be moved from “no” to “yes” with which last-minute policy tweaks — or political favors. The calculus involves not only getting to a majority but causing the least possible electoral pain for the party next year.

There are those like Alabama Rep. Bobby Bright, a conservative freshman Democrat from a Republican-tilting district in southeastern Alabama, who are so dead set against the bill that last-minute calls would be a waste of energy for party leaders. No one expects lawmakers like Bright — who won despite Obama getting just 37 percent of the vote in his district — to risk a “yes” vote.

“They really haven’t inquired with me,” Bright said from a leather chair on the Republican side of the lobby outside the House chamber. “I guess my leadership thinks I’m the closest thing to a Republican that can be in the Democratic Party, and they’ve left me alone.”

There are whole camps of moderate lawmakers who want to see changes to the bill’s handling of abortion and immigration. Some aren’t likely to vote for the bill even if their demands on those issues are met.

Party leaders hope an abortion compromise floated by Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-Ind.) will allow the anti-abortion members who want to support the bill to move into the “yes” column.

“A lot of pro-life members are talking to each other about how they think this thing can be resolved,” said Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.). “It may not satisfy everybody.”

The National Right to Life Committee came out against Ellsworth’s approach, which is aimed at strengthening a portion of the bill designed to sequester federal funds from use in the provision of abortion services.

“In his press release, Mr. Ellsworth says, ‘When you’re going into battle, it’s a good idea to have a contingency plan.’ I say, when you’re going into battle, it is always unpleasant to be bayoneted in the back by somebody who said that he was on your side,” said Douglas Johnson, legislative director of the NRLC. Johnson said Ellsworth’s language does nothing to improve the policy for abortion foes and is instead intended to provide political cover for Democrats who typically side with anti-abortion forces.

The abortion issue, which has simmered near the surface since the House bill was first unveiled, is one of the last that concerns a significant bloc of Democratic voters.

Rep. Kathleen Dahlkemper, a politically vulnerable freshman from Erie, Pa., said it is the “one major issue” standing in the way of her vote for the bill.

Her participation in a rolling-out ceremony for the bill on the west front of the Capitol last week serves as a strong indication of where she will be on the final roll call. The National Republican Congressional Committee already has used an image of her standing behind Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) at that event as fodder for an argument that she is too supportive of the Democratic agenda.

The whip count, which hasn’t changed much since the latest version of the bill was unveiled last Thursday, even reveals that a small number of liberals — perhaps fewer than a half-dozen — are disappointed enough in the exclusion of a “robust” public option that they aren’t inclined to vote for the bill.

“I have yet to commit to voting for this bill,” said Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.).

It may be that a few liberals will vote against the bill if it looks like it’s going to pass. But few believe that lawmakers on the left will bring down a major expansion of coverage for low-to-moderate-income Americans.

It wouldn’t make sense to do that, said Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.).

He said he learned the following lesson about incremental progress from his political mentor, Sen. Warren Magnuson: “Get your toe in, get your knee in, get your shoulder in, and pretty soon you’re in the room.”

With at least a few days before the bill hits the floor — and perhaps fewer than two dozen votes left to secure — Democratic leaders are still pushing their way through the door.

Democrats feeling angst over 2010

Alexander Bolton

The Hill

November 4, 2009

Vulnerable House and Senate Democrats want their leaders to skip the party’s controversial legislative agenda for next year to help save their seats in Congress.

In the run-up to the 2010 midterm elections, they don’t want to be forced to vote on climate change, immigration reform and gays in the military, which they say should be set aside so Congress can focus on jobs and the economy.

“It’s hard; the most important issue in front of us is the economy right now, and that’s where most of us really want to stay focused, the economy and jobs, that’s what our constituency is concerned about,” said Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D), who is facing a tough race next year in Arkansas.

Rep. Bob Etheridge (D), a centrist contemplating a run for Senate in North Carolina, helped Democratic leaders in the summer by voting for climate change legislation on the House floor.

He now wants Democratic leaders to narrow their focus on jobs and the economy.

“Three things ought to be the top priority: jobs, jobs and jobs,” he said.

Lincoln said that lawmakers should focus on passing healthcare reform and wait until next year to effect financial regulatory reform and reduce unemployment.

“That’s an awful lot to bite off and chew for right now,” said Lincoln, who described herself as “not in a hurry” to tackle climate change, an issue she has some jurisdiction over as chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Sen. Evan Bayh (D), who is running for reelection in conservative-leaning Indiana, said “jobs should be our top priority and we shouldn’t do anything that detracts from that,” echoing a sentiment of many colleagues in similar positions.

Bayh said he recognizes that Congress should be able to “walk and chew gum at the same time and hopefully do more than one thing,” but that controversial issues will become especially difficult next year.

Climate change legislation would be “difficult to accomplish under the best of times and doubly so when the economy is not at all good,” Bayh said.

But he did not fault his leaders for setting such an ambitious agenda, saying that “if at the end of the day [losing reelection] is your only concern, you should probably find another line of work.”

Climate change is only one of several lightning-rod issues Democratic leaders may ask their vulnerable colleagues to vote on next year.

They must also tackle the tricky issue of extending or repealing the tax cuts passed under former President George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003. If they extend popular tax cuts, such as the marriage tax cut, the child tax credit and reductions to the estate tax, lawmakers must decide whether to pay for it with spending cuts (or other tax increases).

Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.), vice chairman of the Senate Democratic Conference, still wants to take up immigration reform next year. He told reporters

Tuesday that it is still on the agenda for the 111th Congress. (Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has called immigration reform his No. 3 priority after healthcare reform and global climate change legislation.)

Reid, meanwhile, has pushed for the repeal of the military’s “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which prohibits gays from serving openly in the military.

Gay-rights activists have put strong pressure on Obama and Democratic leaders to repeal the ban sooner rather than later.

Reid sent a letter to Obama last month asking him to provide recommendations on gays serving in the military, noting that Congress is considering “future legislative action.”

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said he was not certain whether repealing “Don’t ask, don’t tell” would be on next year’s agenda.

It looks increasingly likely that healthcare reform will spill into next year, and Democrats have made it a high priority to overhaul the nation’s financial regulatory laws before next November.

One Democratic senator facing reelection in a Republican-leaning state said he does not want to see the issue of gays in the military, immigration reform or even climate change on next year’s agenda.

The lawmaker predicted, however, that it would be very difficult to avoid a long debate over climate change legislation because a faction of liberal senators led by Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.) would insist on taking it up on the floor next year. Interest groups that often have the ears of party leaders will also be pushing those issues.

Some Democrats are worried the ambitious agenda could make winning reelection that much harder.

“If it was up to me, I would figure out how to handle the war and fix the economy,” said Rep. John Tanner (Tenn.), a senior centrist Democrat who has found himself in the crosshairs of the National Republican Congressional Committee, which has recruited a promising GOP challenger.

Tanner worries his party may be trying to bite off too much in the 111th Congress.

“For all of these big issues, the trick is — to use a football analogy — to go for a first down instead of an 80-yard Hail Mary,” he said. “Some of the more philosophically driven people want to do an 80-yard Hail Mary, but getting first downs is how you legislate over time.”

A group of vulnerable Democratic lawmakers see healthcare reform, climate change and immigration reform as desperation passes down the length of the political playing field. They acknowledge that healthcare reform may very well pass, but they say that climate change and immigration reform have dim prospects.

Rep. Bobby Bright, an Alabama centrist viewed as one of the most endangered Democrats in the House, said that many Americans feel alarmed by the drastic legislative changes moving through Congress. He said leaders should consider breaking up sprawling controversial bills into smaller pieces that voters would not find so daunting in size and scope.

“Maybe this healthcare bill is going drastically too far,” he said. “If we could take it in smaller steps, we could build confidence.

“We can’t come in and change the world overnight,” he said. “We’re moving forward at a pace that average people are concerned about, and my constituents very much so.”

Public option would do little to expand health care, experts say

Newton Daily News

November 4, 2009

WASHINGTON — For all the controversy over a government-run insurance option, the program outlined in pending health overhaul legislation likely would play a minuscule role in efforts to expand health care coverage, according to many health care experts and lawmakers.

Of the 45 million uninsured Americans that congressional Democrats and President Barack Obama want to help over the next decade, only 6 million, or 13 percent, would obtain coverage by enrolling in a public option, the Congressional Budget Office concluded in an analysis of the Democratic bill pending before the House of Representatives.

That number could shrink because states may decide to opt out of a public insurance plan, an escape clause that’s likely to be included in the Senate plan.

“The politics of this issue is totally disproportionate to its likely impact one way or another,” said Bruce Vladeck, a former administrator of the federal agency now called the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has said that the Senate overhaul bill would allow states to opt out of the public plan — a step that political experts say at least some states likely would take. Congressional Republicans are united in opposition to a government-backed insurance plan, and political leaders in heavily GOP states may also be opposed. Insurers, which fiercely oppose a public plan, would also be expected to lobby against it.

No matter what the states do, the government-run plan is not likely to attract a large membership, at least according to CBO. It reasoned that the plan may not be able to offer a price advantage — in part because the House bill would require a government-backed insurer to negotiate payment rates rather than dictate them to hospitals and doctors.

If the number of people in the public plan turned out to be 6 million in 2019, that would work out to an average of 120,000 per state. But the number probably would be smaller in the smallest states, perhaps totaling just tens of thousands.

Reid would allow states to opt out of the program by 2014, one year after the public plan would take effect. He hasn’t provided details on how such an opt out would work, or how the governors and the state legislatures might decide. Some advocates of the public plan fear that the states could end up with too much power to withdraw from a public plan, leaving residents with fewer health insurance choices.

“A lot will depend on the specific rules, and there’s a risk that the legislation would make it so easy for states to waive participation in the plan that it defeats the whole purpose of having a national health insurance entity,” said Jacob Hacker, a Yale University professor of political science who favors the public insurance program and an opt-out approach.

Others say, however, that the opt-out clause would rightfully allow states to decide what’s best for their residents.

Predicting states’ response is tricky, even where Republicans and conservative Democrats predominate. Some say that the consumer appeal of a public plan could trump criticism that government plans would eventually drive out competition and lead to the federalization of health care.

Congressional Democrats say that a government plan would spark competition with private insurers in the exchanges, or marketplaces, where under the legislation millions of Americans who don’t have employer-provided coverage would shop for policies. Advocates say that could especially help consumers in states — often smaller, more rural ones — where only one or two insurers dominate the market, and are typically lightly regulated.

Whether states would opt out of the public option would depend on several factors, including the political makeup of the state, the level of competition among insurers, and whether insurance companies push state officials to keep out a government-backed plan.

“If insurance companies don’t want any public plans to compete with them, they will be pressing the governors and the legislatures to opt out,” said Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee and one of the architects of the House Democratic bill. That legislation doesn’t include an opt-out provision.

In many states, the decision would hinge on whether people view the public option as a useful way to increase competition or heavy-handed government interference in the marketplace.

In Oklahoma, Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland said in an interview that, given the state’s conservative political makeup, it’s likely “that as long as there is a sense that citizens have options and affordable options ... (the legislature) won’t jump into participating in a public plan.”

Some congressional Republicans argued that it would be difficult for GOP-controlled states to reject a public option — thus barring their residents from a program that would be open to millions of Americans in other states.

“What you’d be saying to your people back home (is) ‘we’re going to take our state out of this but, by the way, you’re going to be paying increased taxes’” as part of a health overhaul, said Sen. Mike Johanns, a Nebraska Republican who was governor of the state from 1999 to 2005. “I think the people would look at that and think that’s the most foolish thing I’ve ever heard. ... It’s a false option.”

The opt-out provision touted by Reid is stirring debate in governors’ races that will be decided Tuesday. In New Jersey, Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine, who’s running for re-election, said he wouldn’t opt out of a public option while his Republican challenger, Chris Christie, said that he would. In the Virginia governor’s race, Republican Bob McDonnell said he would opt out; Democrat Creigh Deeds hasn’t said for certain what he’d do.

The opt-out provision, if enacted, could also figure in scores of state legislative and gubernatorial races next year.

The issue could be especially contentious in Alabama where, according to the Government Accountability Office, Blue Cross and Blue Shield controls 96 percent of policies sold in the small-group health insurance market. Consumer advocates there say the public plan is needed in their state to spur competition.

Rep. Artur Davis, an Alabama Democrat who’s running for governor, said that while he isn’t an advocate of a public plan, he’d want it to be an option for his state’s residents. “For me, the public option is not the focus of this debate,” he said in an interview. “Having said that ... if the federal legislation passes, it’s your task as governor to enforce that legislation.”

A spokesman for incumbent Republican Gov. Bob Riley, who’s running for re-election, said it would be “premature” to speculate on whether Riley would favor opting out of a public plan.

Even with strong Democratic majorities in the Alabama legislature, there might be pressure to shun a government-run plan.

“I think Alabama is one of those states where they believe in self-sufficiency, they believe in trying to have less government intervention in their day-to-day lives, and right now the public option as proposed is contrary to that,” said Rep. Bobby Bright, D-Ala.

Bright: No to current healthcare bill

Lance Griffin

Dothan Eagle

July 17, 2009

Congressman Bobby Bright said he will vote against the current House version of the Healthcare Reform Bill unless it changes drastically.

“Not at all, not the way it is now,” Bright said during a phone interview with the Dothan Eagle.

Bright said he opposes a “public option” for healthcare reform. According to the current House bill, the public option would be a government subsidized plan that competes alongside current private healthcare plans. Bright said the public option placed too many healthcare decisions in the hands of government officials and could put private plans at a competitive disadvantage.

“I have said this from the beginning, that I would support a healthcare plan that is market driven,” Bright said.

Bright said he also opposed tax increases on individuals making more than $250,000 annually because he believed it would disproportionately affect small business owners.

“For them to try to pay for healthcare reform on the backs of small businesses, I can’t support that,” he said.

Bright and 21 other members of Congress sent a letter Thursday to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi expressing concern over the tax.

“Especially in a recession, we need to make sure not to kill the goose that will lay the golden eggs of our recovery,” the letter stated.

Two other healthcare bills are currently making their way through the Senate. Bright said one is sponsored by Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., and is similar to the House version. He said another, sponsored by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Montana, “has potential” as well as some bipartisan support.

The House bill is about 1,800 pages. Bright said he has been reading the bill since it was released last week. President Barack Obama is urging Congress to pass healthcare reform as early as September.

“I have a copy of the House bill and before I either support it or turn it down, I will have read it and I will understand it. I will be an informed voter,” Bright said.

An Update from Washington (Congressman Bright’s Weekly Column)

7.20.09

Last week, America's Affordable Health Choices Act was introduced in the House of Representatives.  The bill proposes a significant overhaul of our health care system, and is over 1,000 pages long and takes two large three ring binders to hold it.  The bill is currently being examined by three different committees in the House- Ways and Means, Education and Labor, and Energy and Commerce.  Without question, it will be a major focus in Congress over the next couple of weeks.

To be clear, I would vote against the bill if it came to a floor vote in its current form.  I have serious concerns with the health care bill, specifically the inclusion of a public option and employer and individual mandates for insurance coverage.  Additionally, the bill is paid for by increasing taxes on some small businesses and individuals, something that should never be done during a recession.  We should be looking for ways to support and help small businesses, not hurt them.

The introduction of this health care bill is a first step in a long process and I will continue to follow its progress and continue to look for opportunities to make improvements to the bill.  The Senate is currently working on a bipartisan health care solution and I am hopeful that the deliberative process produces a bill that is much better for the American people.  The final product must be bipartisan, and it must use a market-based approach to address current problems in our nation’s health care.  Regardless of the outcome, I will read the final bill closely and be well-informed on its content before voting on any legislation. 

Alabama Energy and Water Projects

Several Alabama-specific projects were included in last week’s Energy and Water Appropriations Act.  Among the projects are funds for biodiesel research at Auburn University at Montgomery and maintenance and improvements at Walter F. George Lock and Dam in Eufaula.  In addition, H.R. 3183 funds energy and water projects across the country.  The bill passed by a bipartisan 320 - 97 vote and now goes to the Senate for further consideration.

Along with fellow Alabama delegation member Congressman Robert Aderholt, I requested and secured $800,000 for the Farm Deployable Microbial Bioreactor for Fuel Ethanol Production project at Auburn University at Montgomery.  The project, which I recently visited, is developing an easy way for farmers to convert inedible plant waste into ethanol.  If successful, this will provide Alabama farmers with an inexpensive and energy-efficient way to run their farms.

Additionally, H.R. 3183 funds energy and water projects across the country, including nearly $9 million for the Army Corps of Engineers to perform scheduled operations at the Walter F. George Lock and Dam.  The bill also appropriates money for American nuclear weapons, as well as nuclear non-proliferation efforts around the world to prevent terrorists from obtaining nuclear weapons and radioactive material. 

The Energy and Water Appropriations Act is important legislation which authorizes critical projects around the country while keeping spending in check from the previous year’s levels.  I was proud to vote for this bill to ensure our water and energy resources across the country receive the support they need.

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call our offices in Montgomery at (334) 277-9113, Dothan at (334) 794-9680, Opp at (334) 493-9253, or Ozark at (334) 445-4600.  You can also visit the website at www.bright.house.gov to sign up for the e-newsletter.  It is my great pleasure to serve you and the entire Second District of Alabama.

'Blue Dogs' playing key role in health care debate

By Bill Theobald and Deborah Barfield Berry

Gannett Wire Story

July 22, 2009

WASHINGTON ­— Fiscally conservative House Democrats, including Rep. Charlie Melancon, thrust themselves into the middle of the health care reform debate this week, blocking legislation drafted by their own party's leadership.

If the 52 members of the Blue Dog Coalition remain united against the bill, they could bar its passage in the House Energy and Commerce Committee and later in the full House.

On Tuesday, objections by Blue Dog members of the committee to the cost and other aspects of the health care bill prompted committee chairman Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., to delay discussing and amending the legislation for at least a day. Also Tuesday, President Barack Obama met with Democrats on the committee.

"We're not Blue Dogs anymore — we're the bulldogs. We're slowing this thing down," said Rep. Bobby Bright, a Blue Dog from Alabama.

Eight Democrats on the committee, including Melancon, are Blue Dogs who said they have serious problems with the bill's estimated $1 trillion cost over 10 years.

Only Rep. Jane Harman of California spoke in favor of the bill.

Members of the Blue Dog Coalition say the House bill:

n wouldn't reduce the growth in health care costs.

n would punish small businesses by raising taxes on families making more than $350,000 per year as a way to pay for health care reform.

n would not insure all of the 46 million people without health insurance. The bill would leave about 9 million uninsured, the Congressional Budget office estimates.

Melancon, co-chairman of the Blue Dog Coalition, has been meeting regularly with Democratic leaders.

"He's trying to influence the bill and bring it to something he can support," said Robin Winchell, a spokeswoman for Melancon. "He's very concerned about the need for health care reform, and he's working to shape the bill in a way that will benefit Louisiana."

Melancon is particularly concerned about driving down the cost of health care and finding more savings for consumers and the government, Winchell said. The bill doesn't go far enough to rein in health care costs, she said.

'Blue Dogs' focus of health care debate

Bill Theobald and Deborah Barfield Berry

The Montgomery Advertiser

July 27, 2009

WASHINGTON -- Fiscally conservative House Democrats, including Alabama Rep. Bobby Bright, thrust themselves into the middle of the health care debate last week, blocking legislation drafted by their own party's leadership.

"We're not 'Blue Dogs' anymore -- we're the bulldogs," Bright said. "We're slowing this thing down. There's no rush. We need to talk more about this. We need to investigate this. We need our constituents more involved in this."

If the 52 members of the Blue Dog Coalition remain united against the bill, they could bar its passage in the House Energy and Commerce Committee and later in the full House.

On Tuesday, objections by Blue Dog members of the committee to the cost and other aspects of the health care bill prompted committee chairman Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., to delay discussing and amending the legislation for at least a day.

Also Tuesday, President Barack Obama met with Democrats on the committee.

Eight of those Democrats are Blue Dogs, who said they have serious problems with the bill's estimated cost: $1 trillion over 10 years.

Only one committee Blue Dog, Rep. Jane Harman of California, spoke in favor of the bill.

Members of the Blue Dog Coalition say the House bill:

Wouldn't reduce the growth in health care costs.

Would punish small-business owners by raising taxes on families making more than $350,000 per year as a way to pay for health care reform.

Would not insure all of the approximately 46 million people without health insurance. The bill would leave about 9 million people uninsured, the Congressional Budget office estimates.

Bright said lawmakers are hearing from constituents who are concerned about the escalating cost of health care and who are "even more frightful that whatever they replace it with might be worse."

"We do have some challenges with the cost and the accessibility of health care right now," said Bright.

Bright said he wouldn't vote for the bill as it's written because he opposes a government-run program, a proposed mandate that businesses provide insurance for workers or pay a payroll tax, and proposed new taxes on individuals and families to help finance health care reform.

He called the mandate "un-American" and said it "creates a tremendous burden" for businesses.

"They're already on shaky ground with the economy being unstable," he said.

Republican leaders are targeting Blue Dogs and freshmen Democrats in hopes of lining up more opposition.

"There's a lot of disgruntlement on the other side of the aisle," said Rep. Charles Boustany, R-La., a physician and a GOP pointman on the issue.

Boustany said that even if all the Republicans oppose the measure, they will need Democrats to defeat the legislation.

"A lot is going to depend on the Democrats," said Boustany. "We don't have the votes. The pressure is on them."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California downplayed any conflict within her party on Tuesday, as did Obama.

The president has said he wants health reform legislation to pass before Congress leaves for its August recess.

Two House panels, the Ways and Means Committee and the Education and Labor Committee, have approved the House health care reform bill.

A similar bill has won approval in the Senate health committee, but that bill doesn't address how to finance the health care reform effort. The Senate Finance Committee is struggling to reach bipartisan agreement on that issue.

Some lawmakers say Congress may have to work through its normal monthlong August break to reach consensus on health care reform.

"I think everybody on Capitol Hill ... wants quality affordable heath care for all citizens," Bright said. "We need to throw party labels out the window and get to work. If we quit playing 'gotcha' politics, we can get this done."

Congress shouldn't move too fast on health care plan

Kay Kirkland and Kara Episcopo 

The Southeast Sun (Enterprise)

July 29, 2009

It scares me to death.

The national health care reform debate is a frightful mess. Thankfully, the Blue Dog Democrats, including Alabama's own Congressman Bobby Bright, are standing their ground to try to force their fellow Democrats and the White House to reduce costs and restrain taxation in the health care overhaul.

A vote may or may not happen on President Barrack Obama's plan this week, but I applaud the courageous conservatives for trying to slow down this process. Doing it right is more important than doing it before the August recess.

I'm not sure that anyone really knows what's in, or what's not in, the proposed health plan. I hope every member of Congress studies it thoroughly before they vote.

The whole debate bothers me on many levels, because I'm not sure, despite the news coverage, if we really know what the plan is all about. The debate bothers me on many levels.

For example, abortion opponents contend that the plan, as it is now, will allow a government-funded abortions. They want language put it in the bill to make sure it doesn't. I agree.

As I've said many times through the years, I am anti-abortion but pro-choice - I just believe the choice should be made before pregnancy has a chance to occur. I don't think it's right for my tax dollars to pay for a procedure that I believe is wrong. I would rather help fund an abstinence program.

References I've heard to "patient management strategies" are also worrisome, especially in light of comments from Obama recently. He said at a town hall meeting that one way to reduce medical costs is to stop procedures on people who are about to die and don't stand to gain from the extra care.

A doctor that I heard on a TV talk show the other day also lamented the millions of dollars spent on treatments that won't cure terminally ill people, but just prolong the inevitable.

Does that mean the government will one day deny patients treatment that it deems unneeded or unnecessary? I hope we're not starting to go down that slippery slope.

Does Obama's health care plan address exorbitant costs, like a $20 aspirin. Does it discourage frivolous lawsuits that so often drive up the costs of medical insurance? Does it encourage all medical professionals to care more about the patients more than the dollars?

Everyone does need health care and they need affordable insurance. But the debate on how many people are uninsured in this nation and the reasons why never addresses the fact that thousands and thousands of people choose not to have insurance.

Some people say they can't afford health insurance, but they nevertheless enjoy cell phones with all the features, extended cable television service, oft-used movie rental accounts, Wii systems, PlayStations, new vehicles, cases of cigarettes and beer, weekends at the beach and a few new music CDs every month. I personally know people like that. Don't you?

Should those of us who pay for our insurance and sacrifice some of the modern conveniences of life pay for someone else's insurance so they can keep all of their toys?

If a government healthcare plan is created, a real verification of need should be determined so that abuses of the system don't eat up the savings.

How will Obama's plan affect businesses? In an already suffering economy, can small businesses - or big ones for that matter - take any more mandated taxes or expensive requirements.

As individuals in all income levels struggle these days, is it wise to tax them more?

I'm not sure anyone has considered all the consequences of the plan. I'm not even sure that anyone really understands what it all means at this point. I hope Congress will give it time, and get it right.

Universal health care bill needs more discussion

Wendell Mitchell

Prattville Progress

August 1, 2009

The National Confer­ence of State Legisla­tures held its annual meeting in Philadelphia this past week, and I attend­ed in my capacity as an offi­cer on the governing board of the umbrella organiza­tion, The Council of State Governments.

The meeting was filled with lectures and commit­tee meetings on a wide range of topics which are designed to improve the knowledge and service of state legislators. Four sepa­rate sessions were held on President Obama's health reform initiative presently pending in the United States Congress.

Although no state legisla­tor, including myself, will have any vote or input on this national issue, the leadership of NCSL felt it important for us to under­stand this far-reaching piece of congressional leg­islation.

One of the Obama admi­nistration's high-ranking officials began her lecture by stating the goal of the pending health care legisla­tion. She stated that the goal was to expand health insurance coverage to all Americans but not add to the national budget deficit. Two other public figures followed the Obama admi­nistrator to the platform and emphatically stated that her two goals as out­lined were impossible to reconcile.

One of the speakers quoted congressional bud­get officer Douglas Elmen­dorf as saying that the bills before Congress would "bust the budget." Mr. El­mendorf was further quoted as saying that "None of the bills I have seen contain the sort of fun­damental changes that would be necessary to re­duce the upward trajectory of federal health spending by a significant amount, and that on the contrary, the legislation significant­ly expands the federal re­sponsibility for health care costs."

Coincidentally, our Con­gressman, Bobby Bright, was on the same flight with me when I returned to Ala­bama from Atlanta. We briefly discussed this im­portant issue and he shared with me that he and other conservative Democrats in the U.S. House of Represen­tatives have deep-seated concerns about this legisla­tion and anticipate being successful in getting a vote on the issue put off until the Fall.

The group opposing the bill as it is presently draft­ed includes members who are known as "blue dogs." A blue dog is a conservative Democrat who is seeking to be fiscally responsible and ward off any legislation which is punitive to a ma­jority of tax paying citi­zens.

From what I learned about universal health care at the meeting in Philadel­phia, I am persuaded that this far reaching bill needs more discussion. Several key questions remain un­answered, such as who will pay for this program and who will benefit from it. As proposed, is it a step for­ward or a step backward. In my opinion, this is not an issue which needs to be rushed.

Until next time, remem­ber "I'll go with you or I'll go for you" to help you solve any problem related to state government.

Alabama’s delegation opposes health care reform

By Dana Thomas Beyerle

Gadsden Times

August 3, 2009

Alabama’s entire U.S. House delegation opposes the current health care reform legislation including the state’s three Democrats who normally would back President Obama. The bill is commonly known as the Waxman bill after U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., the sponsor of Obama’s health care bill.

Opponents include a medical doctor who was elected to the House last year. U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith, D-Huntsville, a doctor turned businessman, said he will not support the Waxman bill.

"He will draw on his unique understanding of what both patients and physicians require and vote in the interests of Alabama’s Fifth District when the health care bill comes to the House of Representatives," his office said.

Griffith said doctors, residents, hospitals, and business owners in his district are concerned about health care reform.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright of Montgomery, also a freshman member of Congress, said he would not vote for the bill in its current 1,000-page form.

"I have serious concerns with the health care bill, specifically the inclusion of a public option and employer and individual mandates for insurance coverage," Bright said.

He said he opposes the provision that increases taxes on small businesses and individuals, a no-no during a recession.

U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, D-Birmingham, said after analyzing the legislation for two weeks, "I have come to the conclusion that the House bill is the wrong approach and unless it changes in a substantial way, it will not have my vote on the floor."

Davis, a gubernatorial candidate next year, said his concerns match questions he’s been hearing.

"The cost of the bill is too expensive a burden during a time of trillion-dollar deficits, and the results, which could still leave over 10 million individuals uninsured, are too uncertain," he said.

He said mandates are no incentive for businesses to hire workers during an economic rebound that depends on companies to start hiring again.

Davis said the current system is flawed and he supports other reforms including insurance subsidies for middle and low-income Americans, small business tax credits for insurance and ending the practice of denying or restricting coverage for individuals who suffer serious illnesses.

All four Republican congressmen oppose the bill.

"We’ll only get bigger government, rationing and diminished quality of care, higher taxes and fewer jobs," said U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Vestavia Hills.

Said U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, "The American people don’t want government-run health care. We want to have cost control, we want quality and we want access with real reforms."

U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, said Congress wants to improve health care but with federal spending at an all time high, the economy in a recession and unemployment at what it is, "another massive government program with more spending, more borrowing and higher taxes will only hurt already struggling American families not help them."

Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Mobile, said he opposes the legislation.

An Update from Washington (Congressman Bright’s Column)

8.03.09

Health care once again was a major topic of discussion on Capitol Hill last week.  Late Friday night, the Energy and Commerce Committee passed the current health care bill which has been circulating the House.  Though the changes made to the bill were a step in the right direction, I remain firmly opposed to the health care legislation in its present form.

Specifically, the bill still relies too heavily on taxes on individuals and small businesses, and the overall cost of health care legislation remains too high.  And though changes have been made to how the public option will work, it does not represent a free-market approach to health care reform, which must be a cornerstone of any legislation.

However, I am pleased that my colleagues in the fiscally conservative Blue Dog coalition were able to slow down the process by delaying a vote on the bill until September.  This will allow Members of Congress to fully consider the bill and discuss its provisions with constituents during August.  I believe it is necessary that the American people have time to fully review this legislation and offer thoughtful comment.  It's much more important to get health care reform done right rather than on a timeline.

Supporting the Troops

On Thursday, I voted for the Defense Department Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010, which funds the Department of Defense and military operations overseas.  Many of the priorities funded by the bill were authorized through the work that the Armed Services Committee completed in the National Defense Authorization Act.  The bill passed with a bi-partisan 400 - 30 vote and now goes to the Senate for further consideration.

The Defense Appropriations Act provides $636 billion for the Department of Defense.  Included in that amount is $128 billion to fund military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The bill gives soldiers a 3.4% pay raise for the military, which is .5% above the President's request.  Other provisions include nearly $30 billion for military medical care, with $500 million allocated for traumatic brain injury.  Additionally, this bill bars funds from going to the closure of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which I recently visited along with a bi-partisan delegation of other members of Congress.

We can never do enough to fully compensate our soldiers, but a 3.4% pay increase is certainly a step in the right direction.  I also am pleased that Congress continues to hold firm in withholding money for the closing Guantanamo Bay.  After touring the facility and meeting with our military stationed there, I can say without hesitation that Guantanamo should remain open in order to keep those that wish us harm out of the mainland United States.

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call our offices in Montgomery at (334) 277-9113, Dothan at (334) 794-9680, Opp at (334) 493-9253, or Ozark at (334) 445-4600.  You can also visit the website at www.bright.house.gov to sign up for the e-newsletter.  It is my great pleasure to serve you and the entire Second District of Alabama.

Health Care a hot topic

Holli Keaton

Troy Messenger

August 5, 2009

Congressman Bobby Bright made another stop in Pike County Wednesday to hear what local residents had on their minds.

And, unlike many of the stops before, health care issues were on the top.

“I think probably health care has been very much discussed,” Bright said, as he mingled with those gathered at Sister’s Restaurant Wednesday afternoon. “I would say 90 to 95 percent of people I’ve discussed it with are against any federal involvement in health care.”

Larry and Jo Rawson, of Troy, were some of those residents.

“I personally think the government should stay completely out of it,” Rawson said. “(Bright) needs to vote no on every one of those health care bills.

“I’m just really fed up with what’s going on in Washington, and if we don’t do something to stop then we’re going to end up in bad shape.”

Bright, who also went to Goshen Town Hall Wednesday, has been traveling throughout his district this week hearing these types of concerns.

And, after hearing what his constituents had to say, Bright said he will have no choice but to vote against any health care legislation.

“I will assure you when we get back it will be on a hot track to get voted on,” Bright said. “I have to represent my constituents and most of them are against it, and I am, too.”

Bright said while all the health care bills on the floor now go too far, he wouldn’t be opposed to some type of legislation that phases in health care assistance gradually.

“I would look at a graduated or phased in plan,” Bright said.

Health Care wasn’t the only issue on local residents’ minds.

Bright said he also heard, as he has many times since taking office, concerns over the economy and climate changes.

“People want to know what we are going to do to stop people from losing jobs,” Bright said.

Bright also brought some good news for the Pike County area — more money.

In the House this year, Bright recently worked to pass two bills that impact Pike County. One secured $5 million for the Javelin Missile, built at Troy’s Lockheed Martin. The other will allocate $500,000 to Troy University’s Health and Science Center.

Bright: Proposed health plan bad for small businesses

Lance Griffin

Dothan Eagle

August 5, 2009

Congressman Bobby Bright organized Tuesday’s Small Business Survival Seminar in Dothan to give small business owners access to information, experts and programs designed to help them navigate the current negative economy.

However, many small business owners attending the seminar believed the current health care reform debate may be the single most important issue that will determine their survival.

That may be why the bulk of Bright’s remarks to the overflow crowd at the Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging building dealt with the issue.

“I don’t think you need any more burden in the form of taxes and in the form of penalties,” Bright told the crowd Tuesday afternoon.

Bright said he still plans to vote against any of the five versions of the health care reform bill circulating through the House and Senate unless significant changes are made. He said a coalition of Blue Dog Democrats helped to delay a vote on the bill until after the August Congressional recess and that he hoped the bill continued to “move to the middle.”

Some versions of the bill require small businesses that earn more than $500,000 annually to provide health care coverage for its employees, or pay a penalty. Earlier versions, Bright said, lowered the income threshold to $250,000.

Bright said some believe health care reform can be paid for through cost savings in the industry, but he disagrees. And, if the added cost isn’t passed along to small businesses, the middle class or the wealthy, then who will pay for it?

“That’s the question, and there is a lot of emotion out there on both sides,” he said. “I think anybody in America wants everybody to have access to adequate health care, but can we afford it and that’s what everyone is up in arms about.”

Bright said he believes “some form” of health care reform will pass this fall.

“If I can’t support it, I want to make sure it is the least intrusive it can be,” he said.

Freshman Congressman Looks Back On First 8 Months On The Job

Bryan Henry

WSFA

August 07, 2009

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - "It's very different."

Far more than Congressman Bobby Bright could ever imagine. The polarizing views in Congress is something the freshman lawmaker underestimated when he was sworn in in January, a far cry from his 3 and a half terms as Montgomery's mayor.

"We have to deal with extremists on both sides, and we have to deal with political gossip," said Congressman Bright.

Now 8 months later, Bright is still feels like the proverbial newcomer but is beginning to see his new job is bigger than anything he's done before. The issues are global and not always local and he says he sometimes feels like he's a D.C. mayor.

"I've got 92 cities in my district and I know about the issues those districts are facing," said Bright.

Perhaps none bigger than the move to overhaul the nation's healthcare. Congressman Bright is on the record as saying 'no' to the current proposals; 3 in the House and 2 in the Senate.

"I will be fighting for a free-market plan. One that everybody can afford. I don't know what the final version will look like," he said.

Congressman Bright has met President Barack Obama twice although no one-on-one meetings yet. He disagrees with critics who say Mr. Obama is doing too much, too soon on issues ranging from the economy to health care.

"He inherited a tremendous situation when he took office. He had to act. If he had not acted, we would be in chaos," said Bright.

Meantime, Bright says he's proud of what he's been able to accomplish so far.

"I've brought in experts to talk to small businesses," Bright said.

Congressman Bright insists he's not even thinking about re-election and when we asked whether he has any interest in running for Governor? A freshman congressman sounding like a political veteran.

"I never say never. I learned to never say never in life," Congressman Bright said with a chuckle.

Now Congressman Bright is not saying never to health care reform. He feels a new version of health care will pass, but not sure if it will be this year.

Congressman Bright is up for re-election in November 2010. So far only one other candidate is in the running; Montgomery City Councilwoman Martha Roby.

Bright tours local medical facilities

Markeshia Ricks

The Montgomery Advertiser

August 18, 2009

U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright, D-Montgomery, got to see how technology can help save lives before anyone ever touches a real patient and how the generosity of volunteer health care professionals helps uninsured people stay on their feet.

During his recess from Congress, Bright stopped by Baptist Health's Institute for Patient Safety and Medical Simulation, Medical Outreach Ministries, and Baptist Medical Center South on Monday for a tour and to talk about the ongoing debate over national health care reform.

At the Baptist Health Institute for Patient Safety and Medical Simulation, Bright saw first hand how nurses could prepare for emergency situations using lifelike models that are controlled by computer. A joint project between Auburn University and Baptist Health, the 22,500-square-foot facility is the only one of its kind in the United States. It is used to train such medical professionals as nurses and doctors, along with non-clinical health care professionals.

"I'm impressed and I wasn't expecting to be," said Bright, who has visited several hospitals and medical facilities.

In addition to seeing the nurses in action, Bright also got to hear their thoughts on the health care debate. Several said what they found disturbing was the feeling that things are moving quickly, but there

still really is no health care reform plan.

Terri Trice, a nurse, said she would like to see some type of change, but everything is moving too fast.

"I think we have to slow it down quite a bit," she said.

Bright said people are right to feel that way because there are five different plans floating around Capitol Hill and he's not really happy with any of them. But he does expect one of the plans to get passed, particularly now that the White House appears to be backing away from the public option.

Bright approves of the possible shift, but said he still has problems with any plan that could penalize small businesses that don't provide health insurance.

Bright also said he was disappointed in how the extremist views of the very liberal and the very conservative have hijacked the debate on health care reform and distorted it with myths and misconceptions.

"The sad part is what people are experiencing right now is what I'm told every day in Washington," he said. "Extremists on the right and extremists on the left are controlling the perception out there. We've got a health care problem and we need to work together for the betterment of our country and not get into all this partisan bickering."

People like 64-year-old Grover Hardegree certainly would appreciate less bickering and more fixing of the health care system. He's uninsured and has had to rely on the generosity of the volunteer medical professionals at Medical Outreach Ministries.

His insurance was canceled after he became disabled and he's been uninsured for the past three years. He's counting down the 11 months until he will turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare.

"If it wasn't for the people here, I would be dead," Hardegree said of Medical Outreach Ministries.

Bright said people like Hardegree are the reason why something has to be done about health care.

"We don't want any more people like Mr. Hardegree to fall through the cracks," he said.

Rep. Bright talks health care reform

Bryan Henry

WSFA

August 17, 2009

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - Fresh off his trip to the Middle East, Congressman Bobby Bright paid a visit to the Institute for Patient Safety and Simulation in south Montgomery. Before starting his tour at the clinic, Congressman Bright weighed in on President Barack Obama's apparent willingness to give up the fight for the public health insurance option.

"This was a smart move because he realizes he doesn't have the votes," said Bright.

During his interview with WSFA 12 News Congressman Bright never answered the question of whether he himself plans to sponsor legislation to reform health care. He's been on the record as saying 'no' to the current proposals out there but that may be changing.

"For example, there's one plan in Senate that I think we'll take a look at. It seems to be a middle of the road proposal that maybe we can all agree on," said Congressman Bright.

Still, some prominent Democrats like former Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean hope the President will stick with the public option calling it necessary  for reform.

Back on tour at the clinic, Congressman Bright believes if President Obama does in fact take the government-run insurance proposal off the table, Bright thinks that dramatically increases the chances of Congress passing a new health care bill this fall.

Only time will tell.

One fact that won't change in the health care debate. Nearly 50 million people reportedly don't have any health insurance.

Bright hears concerns over health reform

Sebastian Kitchen

The Montgomery Advertiser

August 23, 2009

U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright has become accustomed to answering questions about health care and combating what he says are lies, misinformation and distortions being spread by special interest groups.

So, as he has been traveling through his 16-county district during Congress' August recess, he has kept one of the health care proposals, HR 3200, with him. During the last week, he had the bill, which takes up three large binders, sitting just behind him as he drove.

He advises people to "verify it before you believe it."

Health care was the topic of choice during the congressman's Wednesday stops. He spoke at a luncheon of Montgomery area Realtors, addressed several classes at Daniel Pratt Elementary School and visited with people at a store at Maxwell Air Force Base.

Bright, a freshman Democrat from Montgomery, told the Realtors he is firmly against all five current health care proposals being considered by Congress, but interrupted their applause to say "we've got to do something about health care" to contain costs.

"America has the best health care in the world, but we've got some problems with it," he said.

Bright said he believes the current proposals are too drastic. He opposes a public option and a single-payer system, and supports the idea of a market-driven plan.

But, he added, "a public option is not all bad," telling the real estate agents that senior citizens are pleased with their Medicare coverage.

Bright expects Congress to pass a health care plan, but he is unsure what the final version will contain.

Traveling the district

Bright has traveled back to the district every weekend since he was sworn in except for two, which included the inauguration of Barack Obama and a retreat dedicated to education.

He flies into Montgomery on Thursday evenings or Friday mornings and flies back to Washington on Mondays.

He has visited all 16 counties in the district since he was sworn in early this year and has visited 74 of the 93 incorporated jurisdictions in the district. And he plans to have visited all 93 by the end of the August work period.

"It is a pretty rigorous schedule," he said.

During his short time in office, Bright has traveled to Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel and Cuba.

He has about 20 staff members, half in Washington and half in the district. Often, in Washington, he said, staff members do not interact with constituents.

So, this week, his staff members will travel to the district and meet with constituents.

"Many times, congressmen will get disconnected," Bright said.

Bright has hosted Congress on Your Corner events in dozens of locations in the district, essentially taking his staff to the communities to answer questions and listen to concerns.

On Wednesday, Bright had his first Congress on Your Corner on a military base when he was at a store at Maxwell.

Civil disagreements

Bright said his biggest disappointment has been the partisan politics in Washington.

"I'm ashamed of what I'm seeing on TV right now," he said of the confrontations over health care. "People are not treating each other with respect."

People protested in front of Bright's Montgomery office Wednesday morning. He did not meet with them because of his schedule.

Bright said they should call his office and schedule a visit.

"If I'm in town, I'll meet with them," he said.

People must be heard, but must address each other in a "civil manner," Bright said.

And, he said, the protesters need to lobby someone else because he is "already on their side."

Bright received a warm reception at other places on Wednesday.

He also attended the board meeting of the Federal Land Bank Association, talked on "Alabama Live" on WSFA, attended a ribbon cutting at Mora Surgical Center in Prattville, and attended a meeting of the Autauga County Farmers Federation.

After speaking to the real estate agents, some in attendance took pictures with the congressman and some had him sign their programs.

During his talk, some observers appeared to be agitated as he talked about health care and other issues.

Bright showed his voting card when talking to students at the elementary school and to the Realtors. When he sticks the identification card into a box on the back of a seat in the House chamber, he has three choices -- yes, no or present.

"That card gives me the privilege to vote on all of the big laws of our country," Bright said to a fifth-grade class. " ... This gives me the right to go up there and vote for you."

Several of the children asked about Obama, and one class asked Bright if he could get Obama to visit. He said "probably not."

Some girls wanted Bright to tell Obama's daughters they said "hi."

He was also asked if he had any bodyguards.

Different emotional issue

A few months ago, health care was not the most-asked about issue in the district, Bright said. People were asking about the so-called cap and trade legislation that passed the House, but has stalled in the Senate. Bright said the legislation dealing with carbon emissions is effectively dead.

This year, Bright's first, has been packed with emotional issues, he said.

Along with health care and cap and trade, Bright and Obama entered office with massive job losses and the "economy tanking into a depression," the congressman said.

Talking to a mostly conservative group of Realtors, Bright said that regardless of what people think about Obama's policies, the president wants the nation to be successful, cares about the future of the nation and wants the nation to survive the economic hard times.

"We ought to pray that he will be successful for the future of our country," he said.

The National Republican Congressional Committee has bashed Bright for calling himself a conservative while praising the leadership of Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Andy Sere, a spokesman for the NRCC, criticized Bright for saying the economy "would be in chaos" without action by Obama, but then voting against the president's major proposals.

"Bobby Bright can't have it both ways," Sere said in a statement. "He's certainly entitled to lavish praise on the president's big-government leadership and wax on about the sorry state we'd be in without Obama at the helm."

But, he said, Bright should renounce his voting record "and promise never again to masquerade as a check-and-balance to the administration's agenda."

Bright responded: "Something had to be done, but there's more than one way to do them."

He said he would have spent less money, spread out the cash injection into the economy over a longer period, and spent the money on projects where people can see the benefit, such as building schools and highways.

Obama came into office at a critical time, Bright said.

"I acknowledge something needed to be done," he said. "He took much more drastic action than I would have."

Bright said he continues to answer questions from people who believe that when his vote is needed, he will cave and vote with the Democratic majority.

"I am not going to do it," he said.

An A for effort

The congressman said Obama deserves an "A for effort for trying to do something about" health care.

In the current environment, Bright said, sadly too many people are not being responsible in giving out information.

He mentioned death panels and funding abortion.

"It has been proven over and over that is not the truth," Bright said.

The first step, he said, is to move to control the "escalating and exorbitant health care costs."

Bright also supports allowing people to purchase insurance from other states, handling coverage for pre-existing conditions, allowing hospitals and doctors to write off some costs they are not reimbursed for as business expenses, looking into health care exchanges, and rewarding doctors and hospitals for results and not treatment.

He said he is not advocating tort reform, which he said is not being addressed, but added it needs to be discussed in any reasonable overhaul of health care reform.

Bright holds impromptu ‘town hall’ meeting

Justin Schuver

Andalusia Star-News

August 22, 2009

When U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright (D-Alabama) arrived in Andalusia on Friday morning, he did not expect about 15 members of the general public to be waiting for him at the city hall. Despite the surprise, Bright still held an impromptu “town hall” style meeting with local citizens, who asked the freshman congressman about issues ranging from health care to climate change.

Bright said he originally planned to visit Andalusia to meet with the mayor and city council and get their input on local issues. However, when news of the visit leaked out and members of the public showed up at city hall, Bright elected to take some of their questions.

“When we do ‘Congress on your Corner,’ we publicize it, and we’ve already done two in this area this year,” said Al Allenback, district director for Bright’s office, in response to a question about why Friday’s meeting had not been publicized. “I know there was one in March, at Ward’s Clothing downtown. The meeting we had planned today was to talk to the mayor and the city council about what their needs were, for the community. It was not intended to be a town hall meeting, but since (the public) showed up, we’re happy to take some questions.”

Bright, a “Blue Dog” Democrat with a mostly conservative voting record, told the small crowd he would vote against both the existing health care reform bill and the “cap-and-trade” energy bill.

“Health care certainly has to be addressed,” he said. “My problem with the existing bill is that it tries to do too much all at once. I say, let’s take our time and deal with these problems in increments. I would vote ‘no’ on this bill, and I have said that I would vote ‘no’ since day one.”

Bright was one of seven Democrats who voted against the “stimulus package.” However, he said Friday that he disagrees with the idea the Democratic president is instituting socialism, which led to a smattering of dissent among the crowd.

“We’re not on a path to socialism,” he said. “We would have to void the constitution and throw it out the window, before we could go to a socialistic society.

“Let’s not let the extremists control our thinking, on both sides of the spectrum. Don’t just watch one TV station all day long. When you’re watching FOX for about 10 hours, turn over to a couple of hours and watch CNN. You’ll get the truth somewhere in between.”

Andalusia Police Chief Wilbur Williams thanked the congressman for his support in securing a Department of Agriculture grant to pay for a new officer training facility.

Members of the city council also told Bright they have several projects that could use federal government assistance, including the River Falls Street renovation.

Bright will hold a public telephone town hall Wednesday at 7 p.m. Those who would like to join should call Bright’s Opp office at 334-493-9253.

Will health care be issue in congressional races?

Dana Beyerle

Gadsden Times

August 22, 2009

MONTGOMERY — Even though all seven Alabama congressmen oppose President Barack Obama’s current health care proposal, the issue may play in November 2010 congressional elections, especially for two Democrats.

Obama’s health care plan might not even be around as an issue when mid-term elections occur. But people attending town hall meetings are riled up over health care proposals, and those feelings might remain, boding ill for moderate to conservative Democrats in Alabama.

“Certain issues generate such great emotion that they persist, and this looks like one of them,” David Lanoue, chairman of the political science department at the University of Alabama, said last week.

Moderate Democratic Reps. Bobby Bright of Montgomery and Parker Griffith of Hunts-ville oppose the current proposals.

Griffith, a medical doctor, has been meeting constituents over health care during the August break and has a health care meeting planned Monday in the Shoals, his office said.

Bright conducts “Congress on Your Corners” meetings in which he talks with constituents, spokesman Lewis Lowe said.

He also is planning a telephone town hall meeting Wednesday specifically on health care.

“Health care has obviously been a big concern of late,” said Lowe. Bright has committed to visit all 92 cities and towns in his district and plans to finish this month.

Lanoue said Bright and Griffith still must watch their backs.

“I think if you’re the party of Bobby Bright there really is no advantage to supporting Obama because both (Bright’s and Griffith’s are) conservative districts and supported (Republican John) McCain in the 2008 presidential election,” Lanoue said.

Jess Brown, a government and political science professor at Athens State University, said health care won’t be an issue in the primaries and probably not the general election.

“If the ‘Blue Dogs’ vote ultimately with the GOP on health care, I just don’t see how it becomes a major issue in November 2010 in Alabama,” he said.

Moderate Democrats such as Bright and Griffith are called Blue Dogs. Both Bright and Griffith are in their first terms and are being targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Lanoue said Republicans took Congress in 1994 by defeating moderate and conservative Democrats after President Bill Clinton “failed on health care.”

“Bobby Bright and Parker Griffith hope (Obama) can thread the needle and can succeed enough so his popularity isn’t very low in 2010, but he’ll have to do so without their votes,” Lanoue said.

Griffith plans other town hall meetings until Congress votes. “Health care reform is the most important issue facing Congress, and I want to hear from as many of my constituents as possible,” he said, adding he will not vote for a government-run public option or taxing health care benefits.

Griffith’s district includes major defense and aerospace industries, and Brown believes his protection of them will be a bigger issue in November 2010.

Brown said Griffith has voted as a social conservative and that provides him with political cover for a GOP attack. “The GOP may have a tough time labeling him as liberal,” Brown said.

The third Democratic U.S. representative in Alabama, Artur Davis of Birmingham, is running for governor but still might have to vote on health care prior to November 2010

“If he wants to be a viable gubernatorial candidate in Alabama, he cannot support this health care initiative,” Lanoue said.

Davis represents a district whose voters, Lanoue believes, support the president’s plan.

But Davis opposes it, as do the four Republican members of Congress.

Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, said he has numerous meetings with various civic and other groups this month. Aderholt said he has co-sponsored an alternative health care reform proposal.

Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, has had meetings in his East Alabama district.

Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Mobile, said voters fear their voices won’t be heard.

“I believe this frustration may very well carry over into the voting booth unless Republicans, independents, and conservative Democrats all have a seat at the table as the health care debate continues,” said Bonner, who planned 19 town hall meetings.

In a statement, Bright said he opposes the current plan but hopes that after Congress returns in September there can be bipartisan discussions geared toward “something that works for the American people.”

Bright said he prefers a free-market approach to health care reform.

The state’s senior House member, Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Vestavia Hills, has had town meetings, including one last week that attracted 2,000 people. Another 500 to 1,000 were turned away because of fire regulations.

“I’ve never seen such a thing,” he said. “There is no question in my mind these feelings are not contrived or staged, they are genuine concerns.”

Bachus said his meetings have been attended by supporters and by opponents of the health care plan.

He said areas of health care should be addressed and fixed including costs and accessibility, if appropriate. But the current proposal is like “taking a sledgehammer to repair a watch,” he said.

Bachus said the president’s health plan is in “trouble, it’s in desperate trouble.”

“If you move away from single-payer and co-op plans and more government involvement, you lose the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, and if you continue to advocate for the expansion of government involvement you lose Republican and conservative Democrats,” he said. “I think it’s constructive to take a time out and step back and start over again.”

Bachus said members of Congress should reflect their constituents’ views.

“You ignore it at your own peril,” he said. “I’m not ignoring it and I feel their fears and frustrations.”

An Update from Washington (Congressman Bright’s Weekly Column)

8.24.09

The debate over health care continues to be a heated one, and rightly so.  Few other issues affect so many people on such a personal level.  Debate and discussion, however, is fundamentally good.  It has engaged more people in their government and has proven that our democracy is thriving.  I strongly believe our founding fathers would be proud of the level in which people are currently participating in their government.

I also believe the current administration, along with many Members of Congress, are hearing legitimate concerns of citizens across our nation and may be willing to reconsider the so-called public-option and listen to other solutions in an effort to reduce cost, which is a step in the right direction. I am pleased with these recent developments because I strongly believe in a market-based approach to health care reform.

Though I am opposed to the various plans currently circulating the House and Senate, and have been opposed from the beginning, it is clear that we need health care reform.  But we have to be deliberate and get it done right.  We don’t need a drastic overhaul to a system that covers most Americans and one with which most people are generally satisfied.

The unfortunate fact of the matter is that we have lost focus on the biggest problem in our current health care system:  the enormous cost of health care in this country.  We will spend 17% of our Gross Domestic Product on health care this year, much more than most other industrialized countries.  At the very least, we should get a better return on our investment.

Our economy can never fully recover until we address health care and rein in its out-of-control costs.  If the current debate shifted its focus, and we put our minds together, then I have no doubt that we could come up with a plan that addresses the root cause of our health care challenges.  I am hopeful that we can do this when Congress returns to session in just a few short weeks.  In the meantime, elected officials need help from their constituents to make informed decisions.

In the coming weeks, I encourage you to continue to be engaged in this debate, and to contact me with your views on health care.  Over the past several months, the input I have received from constituents at Congress on Your Corners throughout the district and telephone town halls have been incredibly important.  To serve you to the best of my ability, I need to know where you stand on the issues- on health care and anything else that Congress addresses.

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call our offices in Montgomery at (334) 277-9113, Dothan at (334) 794-9680, Opp at (334) 493-9253, or Ozark at (334) 445-4600.  You can also visit the website at www.bright.house.gov to sign up for the e-newsletter.  It is my great pleasure to serve you and the entire Second District of Alabama.

Bright takes message to telephones

Sebastian Kitchen

The Montgomery Advertiser

August 26, 2009

While some members of Congress are conducting town halls about health care in their districts, some of which have devolved into the hostile shouting matches shown repeatedly on television, some members have stuck to telephone town halls.

Freshman U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright, D-Montgomery, started using telephone town halls to communicate with his constituents months before the health care issue popped up as the most contentious issue in the nation.

At 7 tonight, he will talk about health care and other issues and answer questions during his sixth telephone town hall.

"He can reach so many more people and they don't have to leave their homes to do it," said Lewis Lowe, communications director for Bright.

Bright and some of the other fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats, who some believe might be a key swing vote in the battle over health care reform, are using the conference calls and not public meetings.

Bright has answered plenty of questions about health care as he has maintained his busy schedule in the district this month. When he was at an event at Maxwell Air Force Base a week ago, some of the people who stopped to talk to him asked how to participate in the town hall.

The Montgomery Advertiser listened to Bright's last telephone town hall, which was July 30.

People receive a recorded message from Bright the night before telling them "this is your opportunity to ask me questions and get an extended update on what is going on in Washington."

Bright talked and then answered questions. The town hall lasted an hour with people asking about a variety of subjects including health care, gun rights, the farm bill, small businesses, and energy.

People could hit a couple of buttons to try to ask a question. Bright did not get to all of them during the hour-long call, but people could hit a button after the town hall and leave a message for his staff, who he said would respond.

Between 1,000 and 4,500 people are on during some portion of the town halls, with peak attendance usually reaching about 1,500, according to Lowe.

On average, about 40,000 calls go out for each town hall, he said.

After tonight, Bright has plans for two more telephone town halls this year.

Lowe said the office will pay about $35,000 for the eight telephone town halls it has scheduled for this year.

He said that money is allocated for communicating with constituents "and it's a good use of our budget because well over 400,000 calls will go out to constituents and many will be able to hear from the congressman directly."

He said the telephone town halls have become very common for members of Congress, who can address constituents "from Washington during the voting schedule" and they can address more people than they can at an in-person event.

During his last telephone town hall, several people asked about health care.

Bright informed the callers during the town hall, and at events in the district, that he opposes all of the health care plans before Congress and voted against the bill to cap carbon emissions because he believes it would place the South, which uses coal for energy, at a disadvantage.

The congressman has said he wants a market-driven health care plan, not one that would create competition with private business.

Some of the conservative participants bashed the efforts at health care reform and to cap carbon emissions. One man on the call referred to the "so-called health care reform."

"It is not reforming. They are trying to throw out one system and replace it with a national health care program," the man said.

The constituent wanted lawmakers to work to improve the current system. He supports tort reform.

One participant in the town hall said he appreciated Bright's voting record to date even though he "usually did not support Democrats."

"You being a closet Republican I guess is a good thing," the man said.

Bright, before the man could ask his question, quickly responded that the comment "tweaked a nerve a little bit."

Before considering party affiliation, he said, "I will be here (in Congress) as an American first and foremost."

As the man continued, he encouraged Bright to help try to control spending at the federal level.

Bright emphasized his support of "pay-as-you-go," or PAYGO, initiatives, which would not allow new spending to increase the deficit.

During the call, Bob Jenkins of Dothan said, "I've never seen a congressman interact with the community as you have done with the meetings and calls you are doing now."

"It gives me a good feeling about what you are doing in Alabama and that you are doing what needs to be done," Jenkins said.

Steve Anthony of Wetumpka asked Bright about the nation's relationship with Israel and about alternative energy.

Bright voiced his support for a strong relationship with Israel, and said there needs to be a move toward alternative energy and away from the nation's dependence on foreign fuel. He supports an investment in developing ways to use natural gas, which he said has vast reserves in this country.

The congressman also supports tax credits for groups and individuals investing in wind and solar energy, and he said there is increasing support for nuclear energy.

Additional Facts

WANT TO PARTICIPATE?

Who: Constituents in Alabama's 2nd Congressional District and U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright

What: Live telephone town hall on health care and other issues

When: 7 tonight

How: People who are interested in participating can call one of Bright's offices by 1 p.m. today. People can reach his offices at 277-9113 (Montgomery); 334-794-9680 (Dothan); or 202-225-2901 (Washington).

Source: Office of U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright

Protestors gather at Rep. Bright's Dothan office

Daniel Curtis

WSFA

August 25, 2009

DOTHAN, AL (WSFA) - Protestors gathered outside Congressman Bobby Bight's office in downtown Dothan Tuesday.

After a similar protest in Montgomery last week the group decided to repeat action in the wiregrass.

Around a dozen people line the street outside Congressman Bobby Bright office in downtown Dothan.

Standing silent the group of protesters wanted to express their concerns and requests for the congressman to hold a live town hall meeting.

"We feel like with Dothan being such a large city in his district we believe that he needs to give us a chance to have one voice and speak with him openly," says Valerie Wise, a spokesperson for the group.

Their signs express disagreement with the current overhaul of healthcare.

"I've been a 'no' since day one," said Congressman Bright.

Speaking for the group, Valerie Wise says they all want to make sure Congressman Bright continues to vote against the current healthcare bill as it stands.

"We need to know what is in each of them and we need to know if he knows what is in each of them and what he is voting on and know what he is going to do in the future and if he is supporting any of those bills and what he would vote yes on," says Wise.

Wise says the group hopes to earn a live town hall meeting in the future.

Bright holds telephone town hall

Cody Holyoke

WSFA

August 26, 2009

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - Packed into a small office with staffers moving the phone lines along, Congressman Bobby Bright lent his ear to the receiver--and the voters on the other end of the line.

Thousands of constituents called in to make their voices heard.

"How many congressmen actually support your ideas for healthcare reform?" asked one voter.

"I'm just very concerned that the democrats are going to try and jam certain bills and issues through the Congress," said Becky Trimble of Dothan.

Healthcare proved to be the biggest topic.

With the debate over reform heating up, Bright reiterated to voters and WSFA 12 News he would vote 'no' on any current plan.

"Right now, we've got five plans in Washington.  I disagree with all of them. I cannot support any one of them because they're too drastic," said Bright, a self-proclaimed Blue Dog Democrat.

Other voters are concerned about the nature of the town hall meetings. Some constituents say Congressman Bright is shying away from face-to-face forums.

"There's nothing to that, quite frankly.  I'm seeing hundreds and I'm seeing thousands of people, and I've done that since I've been back in the district in august," Bright responded.

With the convenience--and potential reach--of a mass conference call, Bright says telephone talks are the way to go.

"I can do better, and more people can talk with me and ask questions in a smaller group, and that's what we're doing," Bright explained.

Nearly 4,500 people called in.  Many voters also addressed topics like immigration, tax reform, and abortion.

If you missed the telephone town hall, Bright encourages voters to call their district office or his Washington office at (202) 225-2901.

More than 4,000 participate in Bright's telephone town hall

The Greenville Advocate

August 27, 2009

77 percent of callers to Rep. Bobby Bright's telephone town hall meeting are opposed to the pending health care bill in Congress, according to the congressman's office.

Bright hosted his sixth town hall by telephone for citizens in District 2. Callers were able to participate in a poll which asked if they were for or against the current health care reform proposal.

"I place a very high priority on listening to and communicating with my constituents," Bright said. "I have heard overwhelmingly positive feedback from our previous telephone town halls because they are an effective way for me to communicate with so many folks in my district and to better understand their concerns and views."

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Bright's representatives said over 4,400 people stayed on the line for any part of the town hall. The call went out to approximately 40,000 households, which included hundreds of constituents who had specifically asked to participate.

The topic of the majority of callers? No surprise: health care.

"From the beginning, I have been opposed to the current health care legislation in Congress," Bright said. "It is clear from this call, and from my many conversations with citizens across the Second District, that they are also opposed to the health care proposal. I will take those concerns back to Washington in September."

Participants were given the chance to ask about any issue they chose. If listeners' questions were not answered, they were able to leave a message for the Congressman or his staff.

In addition to health care concerns, Congressman Bright took questions on the "cap and trade" energy bill, veterans' issues, the national debt and deficit, Social Security and Medicare, the Second Amendment, poverty, and immigration. 23 people were able to ask questions during the call, and 103 left voicemails for Congressman Bright at its conclusion.

Originally scheduled for an hour, the town hall lasted an additional 20 minutes due to the large call and question volume, said Bright's office.

Although he won't be visiting Greenville, Sen. Jeff Sessions has planned a town hall meeting for Wednesday, Sept. 2 in Andalusia at 2 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Kiwanis Club building at 20096 Kiwanis Dr., Highway 55/S. Bypass, in Andalusia.

The Senate will likely take up health care legislation upon its return to Washington following the August state work period. A number of proposals are under consideration in Congress, but a final bill has not been drafted.

In response to a wave of constituent inquiries about the various proposals, Sessions recently posted links on his Senate website to each of the major reform bills, as well as to a number of government agencies and independent organizations offering background information and analysis.

"It can be tough to track down the text of so many different proposals in Congress," Boyd said. "Sen. Sessions has compiled that information in one place on his website to make it easier for constituents to find and read the bills."

Sessions' site can be found at www.sessions.senate.gov.

An Update from Washington- Listening to the District

8.31.09

Last Wednesday, my office hosted our sixth telephone town hall.  I talked to and fielded calls from people around the Second District from my congressional office in Montgomery.  Over 4,400 stayed on the line for any part of the town hall.  Many of the questions focused on health care, but participants were given the chance to ask about any issue they chose.  If listeners’ questions were not answered, they could leave a message for me or my staff.

As you know, I place a very high priority on listening to and communicating with my constituents.  I have heard overwhelmingly positive feedback from our previous telephone town halls because they are an effective way for me to talk to so many folks in my district and to better understand their concerns and views.

In addition to health care concerns, questions included the “cap and trade” energy bill, veterans’ issues, the national debt and deficit, Social Security and Medicare, the Second Amendment, poverty, and immigration.  23 people were able to ask questions during the call, and 103 people left voicemails.

From the beginning, I have been opposed to the current health care legislation in Congress.  It is clear from this call- where a poll we conducted showed that 77% of listeners were opposed to the bill- and from my many conversations with citizens across the Second District, that they are also opposed to the health care proposal. 

Telephone town halls are not the only way I’ve kept in touch with you, however.  On Monday, I concluded a tour of all 93 cities in the district, making a stop in Cowarts, which is just outside of Dothan.  From the time I was sworn into office on January 6^th, I have made it a priority to visit every city and town in the Second District by the end of August.  These visits have included Congress on Your Corners, meet and greets, meetings with mayors and officials, citizen roundtables, seminars, and speeches to organizations such as Kiwanis and Rotary clubs. 

To serve my constituents to the best of my ability, I need to know and understand your concerns.  These visits to towns from Billingsley to Cottonwood, from Repton to Union Springs, have been extremely valuable.  In fact in August alone, I have made well over 100 appearances across the district.  The input I have received from thousands of constituents will help me represent your views and beliefs when Congress returns next week.

But just because I have visited every city doesn’t mean my work is finished.  I will continue to keep a busy schedule and remain an independent voice that puts your interests ahead of any party’s or special interest’s agenda. 

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call our offices in Montgomery at (334) 277-9113, Dothan at (334) 794-9680, Opp at (334) 493-9253, or Ozark at (334) 445-4600.  You can also visit the website at www.bright.house.gov to sign up for the e-newsletter.  It is my great pleasure to serve you and the entire Second District of Alabama.

Radio ad blasts Bright's record

Sebastian Kitchen

The Montgomery Advertiser

August 31, 2009

National Republicans will begin airing radio ads in Dothan and Montgomery today criticizing Democratic freshman U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright.

The ad features two men talking about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, and how she is damaging the nation with spending and "raising energy taxes."

The National Republican Congressional Committee, which often sends out news releases criticizing Bright and fellow freshman Democratic U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith of Huntsville, is paying for the ads.

Griffith has said he will not vote for Pelosi as speaker again because she is too divisive, according to news reports.

One of the men in the ad says Bright votes with Pelosi about 70 percent of the time, which is according to a database on The Washington Post's Web site.

One man says "If Bobby Bright is voting with Pelosi" and the other finishes "then he isn't voting with us."

People are encouraged to call Bright's office and urge him to vote against the health care reform bills.

Bright, in a statement, said he is known as one of the most independent members of Congress. Some other publications have shown Bright, when some routine and housekeeping measures are tossed out, voting with his party about 52 percent of the time.

Congressional Quarterly named Bright the second most independent member of Congress, acknowledging he voted against his party on most of the major issues including the stimulus, children's health insurance, and cap and trade, a bill intended to curb carbon emissions.

"I have opposed my party on the stimulus, cap and trade, and the health care bills in Congress because I did not think they were good for my district," he said.

An analysis by The Hill earlier this summer shows that Bright voted with Republicans on 13 of 15 major issues.

The NRCC ads will run for a week.

"Bobby Bright spent the month of August ducking constituents, praising Obama and waffling on government health care," Andy Seré, spokesman for the NRCC, said in a news statement. "In light of his lurch to the left, we felt it was important to remind him that he works for Alabama families and seniors -- not Nancy Pelosi -- before he returns to Washington."

Bright repeatedly has said he opposes the five health care proposals before Congress, but the NRCC has criticized him for a comment in the Montgomery Advertiser in which he said "a public option is not all bad," before telling the audience that senior citizens are pleased with their Medicare coverage.

The congressman has said he wants a market-driven plan and opposes a public option that would compete with private enterprise.

The NRCC and some other conservative groups have criticized Bright for not holding a live in-person town hall meeting on health care like many of his colleagues.

On Wednesday, Bright hosted a telephone town hall in which more than 4,400 people participated, according to his office.

"Telephone town halls allow me to reach many more people than a traditional town hall, and people from across the district are able to easily participate," he said in a statement.

Critics have said Bright's staff can control the questions during the telephone town halls and people cannot ask follow-up questions.

Bright, who was sworn into office in January, said he has listened to constituents at his Congress on Your Corner events, at meet and greets, and at public speaking engagements. He said he has focused on visiting all 93 cities in his district and should complete that goal today. He visited five towns Friday.

The NRCC also criticized him for comments about President Obama in which he gave the president an "A for effort" on trying to reform health care.

Bright acknowledged that Obama came into office at a crucial time with a crashing economy. He said the president had to respond.

"Something had to be done, but there's more than one way to do them," he said and added that Obama took much more drastic action than he would have.

The congressman said he and Pelosi have a strong difference of opinion on many issues, "but I will never tear her, or anyone else for that matter, down to try to elevate myself.

"That's how I conducted my campaign, and that's how I will always act as a public servant. I believe the voters sent me to Washington for this reason, and I will continue to be an independent voice in Washington who puts his constituents ahead of partisan politics -- regardless of who the candidates for speaker may be in 16 months."

Unlike Griffith, he did not say whether or not he would vote for Pelosi again if he is re-elected and if she is a candidate for speaker.

Bright, in a statement, called the ad "politics as usual" and said "voters rejected that style of politics in the last election."

Saying he is one of the most independent members of Congress, Bright said "I will always vote for the interests of the district over any party or special-interest agenda. In fact, there are probably a lot of Republicans who vote with the speaker much more than I do.

"We need to put aside party labels and abandon these old, deceitful tactics for the betterment of our country and our state. I wish the creators of this ad would join me in working across party lines for the common good rather than constantly trying to tear each other down."

Having a healthy discussion

Michele Gerlach

Andalusia Star-News

September 2, 2009

If other U.S. congressmen have gotten the messages that he has during the August recess, then no currently proposed version of a health care bill will pass, U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright (D-Ala.) told members of the Andalusia Regional Hospital board of directors, administrators, and medical staff Tuesday.

But Bright said he expects some version of a health care bill will be on a fast track in the U.S. House of Representatives when Congress reconvenes next week.

“I will be voting ‘no’ on what I have seen so far,” Bright said. “The rest of the story is we’ve got to do something about health care cost containment.”

At present, there are three proposed health care bills that have come out of committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, and two Senate versions, one of which has been approved in committee. Any version would have to pass both houses of Congress and be signed by the president to become law.

Turning to options for containing costs, Bright first suggested changing current insurance laws.

“Now, if you live in Alabama, you must buy (health) insurance from an Alabama company,” he said. “If you removed the state line bounding, you might be able to get the same or better coverage at a better price.”

Competition creates a better product, and usually a less expensive one, he said.

He also said litigation reform will pay an important role, and that there may be a place for health care exchanges or bundling health care services.

Bright said a veteran doctor in Luverne told him last week, “We’re throwing the baby out with the bath water. Eight-five percent of the people have health coverage and 95 percent of those are happy with what they have.

“The thing that ought to concern us is the 15 percent who don’t have coverage.”

Dr. Joann Smith said she fears that expanding a government-funded insurance program would make a problem she already sees get worse.

“I have people who get signed up for Medicare, then rush into my office and say ‘I want this test and this test and that one, and my back has been hurting for 10 years,’” Smith said.

Bright agreed and said that if universal coverage were issued tomorrow, there aren’t enough facilities in the United States, nor enough medical personnel, to provide care to all Americans.

In that regard, he said, there are some good things in the proposed health care bill, like incentives for those studying to become primary care physicians or nurses.

“If I could prove to you the bill was good and it was good for Alabama, the majority would be against it because of the rumors and innuendoes associated with it,” he said. “Party politics can do that for you.”

Another positive in the 1,000-plus pages of H.R. 3200, he said, is that it addresses parity in Medicaid reimbursement. At present, a hospital in an urban area receives Medicaid payments at a higher reimbursement percentage than one in a rural area, like ARH.

“That’s addressed and taken care of in H.R. 3200,” Bright said. “But H.R. 3200 will not pass in its present form.”

The first-term representative said while he opposes the health bills currently proposed, he believes that something must be done to contain health care costs and help stabilize the economy on a long-term basis.

“We’ve got to quit creating fear, put party labels outside the door and come up with a solution,” he said.

Bright, who made his comments after touring ARH, said, “This is a fine facility and you are fortunate to have it.”

Bright said he would be visiting Afghanistan with the Armed Forces Committee this weekend before returning to Washington next week.

An Update from Washington- A Reflection on my First Eight Months in Congress

9.7.09

This past week marked eight full months since the beginning of the 111^th Congress.  It was quite a time to be elected to the House of Representatives, as our country faced- and still faces- many challenges both at home and abroad. However, I have never shied away from a challenge and can think of no job I could be prouder to report to on a daily basis. Though eight months is a short period of time to make any kind of definitive judgment on Congress, it is a good opportunity to give some initial impressions on my first few months as your Representative.

When I travel the district, I am often asked what I find most surprising about Washington.  Without question, it is the stark partisanship that divides, rather than unites, many of our elected officials.  I may sound like a broken record by saying that, but it is certainly the truth. 

Too often, Members of Congress are not judged by their ideas or their dedication, but simply by the “D” or the “R” next to their name.  The American people certainly don't live that way and should expect the same from Congress.  In the same sense that our American businesses, the best in the world, succeed with a focus on teamwork and ingenuity, constituents want us to work together to find solutions to the problems that our country faces.

When I ran for Congress, “America first” was one of my campaign themes.  This is no less important to me now and though the road will not be easy, I hope that other representatives will heed the same call in the months to come.  Given the unprecedented economic times, as well as long-term crises such as health care, budget deficits, and wars overseas, both sides of the aisle must focus on the task at hand and on collaboration rather than divisiveness. 

On most major bills this Congress, the final vote tally has been split almost exactly down partisan lines.  I am proud to have been an exception in many cases and in fact, one of the many reasons I voted against bills such as the stimulus, the budget, and cap and trade was because their finished products were not bi-partisan.  I am committed to producing legislation that inspires confidence with the American people and which I believe is product of a true deliberative and fair process.

I have confidence in both my Democratic and Republican colleagues, in the body in which we serve, and in our nation.  By working together, I know we can rise to meet any challenge. Though the health care debate began in strictly partisan terms, with both sides more focused on scoring easy political points rather than passing good legislation, there are signs of hope in the future.  The August district work period has given many members an “outside the beltway” perspective that I believe will serve them well during September and beyond.

Though I have been opposed to the various health care plans in Congress from the beginning, I too have gained a better perspective as my constituents have made the specifics of their concerns with the legislation known to me at over 100 events I attended in August alone.  I am hearing the same thing that many of the other 434 Members of Congress are hearing in their districts.  The American people’s concerns over the health care legislation are not just philosophical; but a rejection of the same old Washington partisanship that has been around for decades.

In the coming weeks and months, I hope that more members of Congress will make decisions based not on what party of which he or she is a member, but on the merits of a bill and what it will or won’t do for their constituents and the country.  During my first eight months in Congress, I have followed one basic idea:  I will only vote for something that is good for the Second District of Alabama.  You have my commitment that as I influence the legislation in Congress, I will always adhere to this principle and will urge my colleagues to do the same.  I am honored that you have chosen me to represent your interests in Washington and look forward to the great things we can achieve together. 

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call our offices in Montgomery at (334) 277-9113, Dothan at (334) 794-9680, Opp at (334) 493-9253, or Ozark at (334) 445-4600.  You can also visit the website at www.bright.house.gov to sign up for the e-newsletter.  It is my great pleasure to serve you and the entire Second District of Alabama.

Be more specific

Kendra Bolling

Troy Messenger

September 19, 2009

As the health care debate continues, local doctors agree the bill is lacking in one key thing – specifics.

But, just how do they think it will affect Pike County residents?

“A lot of it depends on what kind of financial situation you are in,” said Dr. Wilson McRae, a local ear, nose and throat doctor and vice chief of staff at Troy Regional Medical Center. “The majority (of Pike County) would end up in the public option. The public option is big on generalities, not on specifics.”

In fact, doctors agree there is a lot left for interpretation.

“The only concern I have when you read the health care reform there is a lot left to interpretation of the administrator,” said Dr. Chuck Wood, chairman of the doctors board at TRMC. “It would be nice to know who the administrator is. Will it be left to one person?”

Dr. Mickey DiChiara agrees.

“Is one person going to be charge?,” he said. “With Blue Cross we have to check with them before we do anything big. How’s that going to work?”

But President Barack Obama insists his administration would require insurance companies to cover preventative care like mammograms and colonoscopies because it “makes sense, it saves money and it saves lives.”

Still, studies have shown that much preventative care – particularly tests like the ones Obama mentions – actually costs money instead of saving it.

That’s because detecting acute diseases like breast cancer in their

early stages involves testing many people who would never end up developing the disease.

The costs of a large number of tests, even if they’re relatively cheap, will outweigh the costs of caring for the minority of people who would have ended up getting sick without the testing.

In August, the Congressional Budget Office wrote, “The evidence suggests that for most preventative services, expanded utilization leads to higher, not lower, medical spending overall.”

That doesn’t mean preventative health care doesn’t make sense or save lives. It just doesn’t save money.

Wood said the bill is costly, large and complicated. It leaves interpretations that could harm overall health care.

While the doctors agree it will be good for everyone to have health insurance, they all have concerns about how it will affect the overall quality of health care and exactly who is going to fund this.

“There are not specifics on how much the government would pay,” McRae said. “Right now the hospital would not stay afloat if it was like Medicare or Medicaid.”

Obama told the Associated Press, “I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficits either now or in the future. Period.”

Still, There is no final plan. So far, House Democrats offered a bill that the Congressional Budget Office said would add $220 billion to the federal deficit over a 10-year span, the AP reported

But, Democrats and the Obama administration officially claimed the bill actually was deficit-neutral. They said they simply didn’t have to count $245 billion of it – the cost of adjusting Medicare reimbursement rates so physicians don’t face big annual pay cuts.

McRae and Dichiara both raised the issue of how will the doctors be able to treat everyone if they have health coverage.

“The care would be the same, but it would cost less,” McRae said. “It could overwhelm the doctors office. We already have a shortage of doctors in Troy. With everyone adding people to the coverage, doctors could get overwhelmed.”

“My one concern is it would be great if everyone would be covered. It would really help the hospital not having to do anything for free, but my concern is if we have enough doctors,” Dichiara said. “If all of a sudden, we have 10,000 people in this county with health insurance, how are we going to treat all of them?” Doctors also wondered exactly who is going to pay for health care.

“The thing I’m concerned about is how they are going to pay for it,” Dichiara said. “We have a small business and insurance is already expensive.”

McRae said it could make it difficult more doctors to make a living.

“Older doctors could retire,” McRae said. “And younger ones would not go to med school since all the doctors would be paid the same.”

McRae said he thinks it would eventually drive down the overall quality of health care, older experienced doctors would probably get out of the business and potential doctors wouldn’t want to take the time to go to school for significantly less salaries.

U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright, who represents the second district, which includes Pike County, is avidly opposed to the health care plan as it is now.

According to Bright’s Web site, he is opposed to the current House draft health care legislation.

“I continue to believe that the current direction of health care reform relies too heavily on taxes on individuals and small businesses, and the overall cost of health care legislation remain too high,” Bright said. “Moreover, though changes have been made to how the public option will work, the overall bill does not represent my belief in a free-market approach to health care reform.”

As it stands now, the House bill contains a public option that would be a government subsidized plan that competes with current private health care plans.

With that, McRae said about 90 percent of individuals in this county with private health care have Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance.

The United States is the only industrialized democracy that lacks a comprehensive national health care system.

Most Americans rely on health insurance partially subsidized by their employer and can lose their family’s coverage if they lose their job.

“Nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change the coverage or the doctor you have,” Obama told the AP.

That’s correct, as far as it goes. But neither can the plan guarantee that people can keep their current coverage.

Employers sponsor coverage for most families, and they’d be free to change their health plan in ways that employees may not like, or drop insurance altogether. The Congressional Budget Office analyzed the health care bill written by House Democrats and said that by 2016 some 3 million people who now have employer-based care would lose it because their employers would decide to stop offering it.

Earlier this week, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, a Democrat, unveiled his much-anticipated bill, and senators who have been waiting for months lined up to offer a bevy of contentious changes. One senator said the bill “needs more than just a few tweaks.”

Democrats are concerned about affordability. Republicans almost uniformly oppose the measure and may be loathe to hand the President a victory on his biggest domestic priority, legislation to rein in skyrocketing health care costs and extend coverage to many of the 50 million uninsured.

Rep. Bright becomes healthcare debate test case looking toward elections

Reid Wilson

The Hill

September 19, 2009

Democrats are nervous about the political implications of the healthcare debate and Republicans think they have found a prime target in Rep. Bobby Bright (D-Ala.).

Protecting incumbents like Bright next year will prove a challenge for Democrats.

Around the country in 2008, several members won narrow elections on the strength of higher-than-average turnout, fueled largely by excitement over the presidential race that favored Democrats. In 2010, though, President Barack Obama will not be on the ballot, giving Republicans hope that they can win back those seats.

And, National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Andy Sere hinted, Republicans will go after Bright for his "sharp left turn toward Obama's reckless agenda."

"After just eight months in Congress, [Bright] has lost touch with everyday Alabamians," Sere said.

Bright maintains he can win without Obama's coattails, and that he will rise and fall on the strength of his own record. Obama only took 36 percent of Bright’s southeastern Alabama district in 2008.

"I didn't run on anybody's coattails. I ran on Bobby Bright's reputation and his work product and his ethical foundation. That's why I got elected," he said in an interview with The Hill. "I am a true blue representative of the people I represent. They know my record of being fair."

But Bright gives Obama the benefit of the doubt in the healthcare debate, acknowledging that despite the fact the two do not agree on the results so far, at least the president is doing something.

"He was dealt a really tremendous and complicated hand when he became president, and you can't say he is not trying to do something," Bright said. "Whether it was Obama or whomever, it took someone to act and do things out there and assert a tremendous amount of effort to right some of the delicate issues that have gone wrong."

Bright, one of the most conservative Democrats in the House, is fighting back against GOP allegations, asserting that he is as concerned with the healthcare proposals on the table as his constituents back home.

"When you're talking about or addressing or changing healthcare, that affects everybody out there, and my district is no different," Bright said. "They're very concerned and very attentive to what we're doing on the Hill, like they should be, like every patriotic citizen across the country."

Bright has said he opposes a public option, but he has yet to make up his mind on the Senate Finance Committee's legislation, which includes privately-owned co-ops.

"I've not supported any of the healthcare bills as they stand today. I'd say 75 to 80 percent of the people in my district do not [either]," Bright said. He added that he is waiting for "drastic" changes to the measures, and that he will not vote for a bill that includes a tax hike.

Still, the NRCC says Bright has "gone Washington," according to Sere. Sere cited comments Bright made in a radio interview where the congressman said no growth in the Consumer Price Index would mean no cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security.

No cost-of-living adjustment "hurts people," Bright said in the radio interview, "but it also keeps our taxes down. So you can't have your cake and eat it too."

If a wave election happens next year, Bright could be vulnerable, especially if a qualified Republican steps up to challenge him. The GOP thinks it has found that candidate in Martha Roby, a city councilwoman in Montgomery who announced her candidacy in May.

Republicans have already signaled they will seek to tie Bright to healthcare, and to House Democratic leadership. The party has highlighted comments Bright has made giving Obama decent grades on his handling of the debate and the congressman's unwillingness to back away from Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Roby, too, says Pelosi will play a big role, both in the healthcare debate and in her contest against Bright.

"Her leadership that sets the agenda, the liberal agenda, is not representative of the values of the Second Congressional District," Roby told The Hill. "The response coming out of the district is that the citizens of Alabama's Second Congressional District are absolutely opposed to government-run healthcare."

"Alabama is a conservative state, and the Second District is a conservative district, and I don't believe our conservative voices are being heard," Roby added. "I have a record of common-sense leadership, of voting and fighting against tax increases. My values represent those of the people in this district."

And though his freshman colleague, Rep. Parker Griffith (D-Ala.), has said he will not vote for Pelosi for speaker, Bright says Pelosi made him promise on one of his first days in Washington that he would be independent-minded.

"I have been [independent-minded] and she has not bothered me one bit at all with any of my votes," Bright said. "Pelosi has been very professional toward me."

But, he acknowledged: "She's not very popular in a conservative district like mine."

Veteran speaks out about failures in health care system

Sebastian Kitchen

The Montgomery Advertiser

September 25, 2009

Vietnam veteran Alex Harwick took a letter to the Montgomery office of U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright on Thursday to tell him he has seen government health care at work and that it has failed veterans.

In the letter that he personally delivered to Bright's district director, Harwick said Bright has told people what they wanted to hear while in the 16-county district. The congressman has said he opposes the public option in health care plans and that he supports a free market. Bright said he does not support any of the health care plans being considered by Congress.

"In Alabama, you've said just about everything we've wanted to hear," Harwick wrote. "Why haven't you stated these same sentiments in Washington?"

The veteran, a fighter pilot who retired as a lieutenant colonel, said he did not think Bright was "far left."

"I appreciate Mr. Harwick's views, which reflect my long-standing concerns and opposition to a public option in health care reform," Bright, D-Montgomery, said in a response sent to the Montgomery Advertiser.

Bright's district director Al Allenback, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel who was the wing commander at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, listened to Harwick and told him that Bright would receive the letter today when he returned to Montgomery from Washington. Allenback said Bright would respond to Harwick.

The American Forces Press Service reported in 2006 that the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system had been ranked higher than private-sector health care in America for six consecutive years by the American Customer Satisfaction Index.

Harwick, the son of a career Air Force officer, said he has been involved in government health care for 70 years. He said the government reneged on the lifetime health care promised to him and his father if they served until retirement.

The veteran asked why people should trust the government to manage health care.

Harwick, who lives in Tallassee, said he was shot at during his more than 250 combat missions and has a right to speak out.

In talking about the concerns people have expressed about government involvement in health care, Harwick said "I've experienced them all."

He said the horror stories about the Veterans Administration and poorly run hospitals are among his concerns about the government becoming more involved in health care.

"Visit just about any VA in the country and you will find too few doctors and too few nurses struggling to help wounded and aging veterans," Harwick wrote.

"The program is bureaucratic, undermanned and underfunded."

Bright, in his response to the Advertiser, said Congress has "made great strides in improving the Veterans Administration, including passing an unprecedented 12 percent budgetary increase for the Department of Veterans Affairs to strengthen, among other things, services and facilities at VA medical centers.

"However, we can never do enough for our veterans, and I look forward to working with people like Mr. Harwick and my veterans' advisory council to make sure they are appropriately honored by receiving the best possible health care."

Alabama congressmen cautious over health care reforms

Deborah Barfield Berry

The Montgomery Advertiser

September 27, 2009

WASHINGTON -- Alabama's Republican and Democratic lawmakers said they're skeptical of key elements of the health care plans moving through Congress and agree they don't want legislation that includes a public health insurance option.

"Don't get me wrong, the health care industry needs some reform," Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Anniston, said in a statement. "It's too expensive, (and) businesses can't afford to cover their employees. ... But it doesn't need to be taken over by the government."

Unlike most in their party, Alabama Democratic Reps. Artur Davis and Bobby Bright of Montgomery don't support a government-run option. Neither do Republican Sens. Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions.

Rogers said private health insurance companies couldn't compete with a government-run plan.

Davis, D-Birmingham, said Democratic House leaders should listen to their members and President Barack Obama, who has said there is room for compromise on the public option.

"The idea that it's the holy grail of this debate is wrong," Davis said.

"Public option can't pass the Senate," Davis said. "I'm interested in something that can pass and Barack Obama can sign."

Bright, D-Montgomery, and other Alabama lawmakers said they heard an earful from constituents at town halls and meetings during the August recess and most said they opposed a public option.

"They were very emotional about it," Bright said. "We heard them not only in my district, but across the country. I got that message loud and clear."

Despite their party's push for major changes, Davis and Bright tend to side with their Republican colleagues on many health care reform issues.

Still, national health care advocates said Southern states, including Alabama, tend to have higher rates of uninsured and underinsured residents and are likely to benefit more from health care changes than other states.

"People in the Southeast are probably going to come off better than other regions of the country," said Ron Pollack, president of Families USA, an advocacy group that is part of a coalition, including the pharmaceutical industry, supporting health care reform.

Among other things, reform would provide subsidies to help more people afford private health insurance, Pollack said.

As the focus in the health care debate shifts to the Senate, Alabama's lawmakers are sorting through several plans, particularly the latest proposal from Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Finance Committee. The committee will play a major role in the overhaul.

Davis called Baucus' plan a "template for bipartisanship," but he said the Democratic House plan is "flawed."

"We need a new bill. The Senate is moving in that direction," Davis said. "Unfortunately, the House is not moving in that direction. What I see in the House is some hardening of the battle lines. That's discouraging."

House Republicans and Democrats said they will continue to press for health care reform, which has stalled.

"It's halftime in the process," said Louisiana Rep. Charles Boustany, a doctor and GOP point man in the health care debate. "We need to continue to work to find a bipartisan consensus to drive down the cost of health care for families and small businesses. I'm not sure that the Senate proposal does that, and clearly the House bill does not."

The bills in the House and Senate contain many similar provisions. They would require most people to buy insurance, provide subsidies for people who can't afford it, ban lifetime caps on insurance coverage, and bar insurers from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

But the proposals differ on cost, how they'd be paid for, whether they'd add to the deficit, and whether to create a government-run "public" health insurance option that would compete with private insurance plans.

The Baucus plan omits a public insurance option, calling instead for nonprofit insurance co-ops. It would cost $856 billion over 10 years.

That cost would be covered through cuts in Medicare payments, a tax on high-cost insurance plans, penalties for people who refuse to buy coverage and large companies that refuse to offer it to employees, and fees and taxes on insurance companies, the pharmaceutical industry and other health care providers.

Another bill passed by a Senate committee includes a public health insurance option. Three House committees approved different versions of a health care bill that also would create a public insurance option.

In addition to their opposition to a public option, another area where some Alabama Republicans and Democrats agree is their opposition to a proposed mandate for employers to provide health insurance coverage, which Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa, said could force employers to cut jobs.

Shelby said he opposes Baucus' plan, which still is being crafted by the committee.

"It has not undergone policy changes to win my support," Shelby said.

Many small business, however, would not be required to provide the coverage. For example, the Baucus plan would require businesses with more than 25 employees to provide coverage to employees or pay a penalty. Other plans would impose the mandate depending on the company's annual payroll.

"I'm not for penalizing any of our small businesses or any businesses ... especially during a time when you have an ongoing recession," Bright said, a point Davis echoed.

"Frankly, the House leadership seems wedded to keeping that in," Davis said. "And the more you look at it, the more indefensible that is."

Local Republicans and Democrats also support a proposal to ban insurers from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

But there are differences of opinion on other provisions.

Rogers, Sessions and Shelby all strongly support limiting medical malpractice awards (called tort reform), something Republican lawmakers have long touted as a way to cut health care costs and which some Democrats are coming around to support.

Bright did not list it as a priority but said it should be considered as part of the debate.

Davis said he doesn't support additional caps on damages.

"I believe in the jury system," he said. "Juries sometimes get it right and sometimes get it wrong."

Studies show that limiting such awards slows growth in the cost of medical malpractice insurance for doctors. But lower malpractice insurance rates would have only a "very modest" impact on doctors' fees and would reduce total health care spending by less than 0.2 percent, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Alabama doesn't have a limit on damages because a statute imposing such a cap was declared unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court in 2003, according to Heather Horton, a legislative analyst for the National Conference of State Legislatures. State lawmakers proposed several resolutions this year urging Congress to pass medical liability reform. The resolutions did not pass.

The House hasn't yet put a health care reform plan on the floor for a vote. Plans were delayed this summer in part because members of the Blue Dog Coalition of fiscally conservative Democrats complained about the high tab. The coalition called the Baucus plan, which is budget-neutral, an important step forward.

Bright, a Blue Dog, and Shelby agree that they want a bill that wouldn't raise taxes, that clearly would exclude illegal immigrants from getting coverage, which all proposals do, and which would ban the use of federal funding for abortions.

Without those provisions, Bright said, "it's a no before it even gets to my door."

Gov. Bob Riley says health care reform will have 'dire budgetary impact on Alabama'

George Altman

Mobile Press-Register

October 06, 2009

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Congressional health care overhaul plans contain "serious flaws that will have a dire budgetary impact on Alabama," according to Gov. Bob Riley.

In a letter sent to each member of the Alabama congressional delegation, Riley said that bills in the U.S. House and Senate would place enormous burdens on the states.

"Unlike the federal government, our state actually has to balance its budget," Riley wrote in the letter, dated Friday. "Expecting states in the current economic climate to provide additional funding for federal mandates is not reasonable or even practical."

But some believe that Congress should focus more on health care's financial impact on patients than on state governments. A team from Harvard University and Ohio University released a report in June that found that more than 60 percent of U.S. bankruptcies were tied to medical bills.

"The people who sit in my office, who go bankrupt and can't afford their medication, ... they're my primary priority," said Sonia Vishin, a 29-year-old Birmingham physician who appeared with President Obama at a health care news conference Monday.

With his letter, Riley joined at least 14 other Republican governors who have lobbied their congressional delegations against Obama's health care overhaul, according to published reports.

Riley's letter singled out plans to extend Medicaid to those with incomes of up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level. The change would cost an additional $1.2 billion in state and federal tax dollars annually, he said.

Such an expansion would provide Medicaid coverage for single people making as much as $16,486.50 and families of four making up to $33,037.50, according to 2008 poverty figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Most members of Alabama's congressional delegation have expressed skepticism about the health care overhauls.

Jonathan Graffeo, a spokesman for Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa, said that Shelby opposes the House and Senate bills. U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Mobile, said that he agrees with Riley's letter.

"How are we going to pay for this? Where is the money going to come from to implement a massive reorganization, restructuring of our health care system?" Bonner asked.

Even Democrats in the delegation are lukewarm to the bills.

U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright, D-Montgomery, opposes both the House and Senate proposals in their current forms, a spokesman said.

A spokesman for U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith, a Huntsville Democrat who worked as an oncologist for 30 years, said that Griffith opposes legislation in the House. The spokesman would not explain Griffith's position on the Senate proposal.

U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, a Birmingham Democrat also running for governor, opposes bills in the House, but said last month that a compromise bill in the Senate was "moving in the right direction."

Riley's letter suggested that Congress emulate Alabama's approach, which allows small businesses and their employees to deduct health insurance premium costs from state taxes. Alabama Democrats and Republicans have expressed support for similar proposals.

Lawmakers await healthcare reform vote

Cody Holyoke

WSFA

October12, 2009

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - White House officials spent their Columbus Day stunned by an about face from health insurance companies.

"Under the current legislation, costs will actually go up faster than they would under current law," said Mike Tuffin, a representative for America's Health Insurance Plans.

The businesses--thought to be allied with White House proposals--released figures from a study commissioned by health insurance companies.

The findings claim--in ten year's time--families could end up paying $4,000 more for premiums under the Senate's plan.

"If you do market reforms that don't require people to participate, then there's a powerful incentive for people to simply wait until they're sick to purchase coverage.  That drives up costs for all policyholders," explained Robert Zirkelbach, an insurance industry spokesman.

While some politicians and the White house refute the claims, others question the measure.

Democratic Congressman Bobby Bright says the bill in question has its ups and downs.

"It does away with the public option, as it stands right now. However, it does tax small businesses and individuals out there," Bright explained.

Some residents, like 'Tea Party' protestor Dawn Barben, say the legislation raises too many questions.

"There's so much bad. It's hard to concentrate on one thing," said Barben, a Prattville resident.

"If our Founding Fathers could give us a government in 18 pages, they can certainly give us a healthcare bill in less than 1,500 pages."

It's a dash for reform voters--and some lawmakers--want to slow down.

"We're looking at healthcare cost renovation, and we're doing too much, too quick, for most folks out there," Bright explained.

Bright also says he'll vote 'No' for any measure involving a public option, if or when it comes to a vote in the US House.

If this bill passes the Senate Finance Committee, it would go to the full Senate for consideration.

Freshmen Democrats, Both Seen And Heard

Richard E. Cohen

The National Journal

October 24, 2009

As House Democratic leaders struggle to find 218 votes for health care reform, their freshman members have played especially hard to get.

Consider Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, D-Pa., who has taken the lead on a proposal to allow many 20-somethings to remain on their parents' insurance plans. Speaker Nancy Pelosi lavished praise on her "great leadership for America's young people" before a cheering, youthful crowd in the Capitol on October 13; the ebullient Dahlkemper thanked Pelosi for her leadership and voiced gratitude for her "great efforts to include freshmen" in the health reform debate

Even so, Dahlkemper -- a political novice who captured a longtime Republican seat and previously worked with her husband running a landscaping business -- remains undecided on how she'll vote when a bill comes to the House floor. "There are still moving pieces that we need to see.... I am a big supporter of health care reform, but I can only vote for something that I truly believe in," she said in an interview the day after the rally. Until she gets official cost estimates and is satisfied that the proposal will "bend the cost curve," Dahlkemper said, she won't move from the undecided column.

She is hardly the only freshman who is hesitant to accept yes for an answer, even after securing party leaders' support for pet priorities. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., is leading a large group of freshmen in opposing a Pelosi-backed plan crafted by the Ways and Means Committee to add a hefty surcharge on upper-income taxpayers. Even after Pelosi agreed to double to $1 million the income level at which married couples would be subject to the higher tax, he did not sign on.

"I am not ready to commit to something, sight unseen," said Connolly, who as the Democrats' freshman president has worked with numerous class members for other changes in the party leaders' plan. "I feel a responsibility to support a bill.... But I would be foolish to give away my vote until I see the specifics."

Not so long ago, House freshmen saluted loyally and otherwise were not expected to be seen or heard. But the 41 Democrats serving their first full term -- including 28 who took seats previously held by Republicans -- have become a persistent force on health care reform, although they have worked largely behind the scenes in the Capitol.

In some ways, they have forced the powerful and ever-confident Pelosi to bend to their will, such as when the freshmen opposed her push to pass the health reform measure in July. Their caution helped turn that month's approval of similar versions of the measure by three powerful committees into a starting point for a caucus-wide discussion, rather than the customary final step before House action.

After the failure to meet subsequent timetables for the House to take up the bill in September and then October, Democrats now hope to act in November, although Pelosi is unlikely to go to the floor if passage isn't certain. Democratic leadership aides contend that one benefit of the delay is that House members have gained a better idea of the prospects for Senate action.

Democratic vote-counters have kept their tallies closely held. But widespread freshman doubts and demands for change clearly have been key factors in delaying House action, despite the Democrats' 40-seat majority. That explains, in turn, why House Democrats have not unveiled a final version of their proposal, which must reconcile many competing interests.

Groups of freshmen have written several letters to register their objections and demands for change. On September 25, for example, 10 of them signed a four-page missive that called for modifications in seven separate areas, including protecting the solvency of Medicare, reducing litigation and medical error, and increasing incentives for wellness and preventive care. Pelosi, who hosts the freshmen at a weekly breakfast in her Capitol office, signaled support in some areas but called for further review of others.

Rep. Frank Kratovil, D-Md., helped prepare the letter, and he cited the often-rowdy town hall meetings that many freshmen hosted during the August recess. "We recognized that legitimate concerns had been raised and that it would be helpful for our party to acknowledge them," Kratovil said. He agreed that Democratic leaders had met some of the freshmen's objections, but he continues to lean against voting for the measure. "What appears to be coming to the House floor is not enough.... If the bill remains substantially similar to [the July versions], I will not support it. But I don't rule out eventually supporting a compromise bill from the Senate."

Some freshmen, to be sure, have enthusiastically backed sweeping health care reform, including the "robust" public insurance option that Pelosi has insisted must be part of a House-passed measure. "I feel very strongly that we need to have a strong bill to go against what the Senate passes," said Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, who has participated in internal freshman-class debates on the topic. She agreed with Pelosi that it would have been preferable for the House to pass the bill in July, and attributed the delay to, among other things, the many hard issues that this Congress has faced and "the pain that our constituents are feeling" because of the recession.

A few other newcomers have been dogged health reform foes. "I come from a very conservative district, and my constituents have loudly opposed each of the proposals," said Rep. Bobby Bright, D-Ala., who added that he can be effective for his district as long as party leaders respect his independence. "They don't pressure me.... The speaker asked me to always keep in mind my constituents." Other freshmen share his strong opposition, Bright said, but he would not identify them.

In dealing with the freshmen, Pelosi has relied heavily on Chris Van Hollen, a four-term representative from Maryland, to serve as their advocate. He wears two leadership hats that can create internal tensions: chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, whose goal is to maximize the election of Democrats; and assistant to the speaker, where he seeks to push the legislative agenda. "He takes the freshmen ideas and works to try to find solutions" a leadership aide said. "The freshmen view him as someone who will be honest with them and sees when it is possible to find middle ground." As DCCC chairman in 2008, Van Hollen gained the loyalty of many new members because he was instrumental in helping them win their seats.

In an interview, Van Hollen cited the benefits of his multiple roles in dealing with the freshmen. "We are moving the agenda but in a way that accommodates their concerns. Their advocacy has strengthened the bill.... The freshmen are doing exactly what they should be doing in vigorously representing the views of their constituents."

Contrasting Classes

Underlying the caution of both the freshmen and party leaders in their handling of health reform is a political concern that President Obama's bold agenda could jeopardize many of them in the 2010 election. Many on the Hill see the views of the 2008 class and the "majority makers" who gave the Democrats House control in the 2006 election as similar, but the contrasts are notable.

Where some Democrats in the 2006 class claimed what could be called "low-hanging" districts that had moved away from Republicans, most of the current freshmen faced tough battles in winning in 2008, and they can count on competitive re-election challenges in 2010.

Of the 28 newcomers who took GOP seats last year -- including two Democrats who first won special elections earlier in 2008 -- 13 serve districts that voted for Republican presidential nominee John McCain, according to data compiled by The Almanac of American Politics. Perhaps more tellingly, George W. Bush won 25 of the 28 districts in his 2004 re-election.

The sophomore class of 2006 represents slightly fewer red-leaning districts. Of the 30 Democrats who won Republican-held seats that year, 11 serve districts that voted for McCain in 2008, while 21 are from districts that Bush won four years earlier. That political pedigree is "very relevant," Van Hollen said. "The freshmen are problem solvers, not ideologues. On health care, their goal is not to throw everything out and start from scratch. They want to protect what works and fill in the gaps." The freshmen deserve credit for many changes already in the bill, he added, including cost reductions and less onerous tax changes.

The members' own election outcomes in 2008 may help to explain why a larger share of the freshmen are more worried about their seats compared with second-termers who have already faced a re-election challenge.

Of the current first-termers, 20 of the 28 who captured Republican-held seats won with no more than 55 percent of the vote last November, and 10 were held below 52 percent; 14 of them defeated incumbents. These freshmen, many of whom had not previously sought elective office, benefited from the significantly larger voter turnout that Barack Obama's candidacy generated in much of the country -- especially among minorities and young people. Both parties expect a considerably lower turnout next year, which will likely hurt Democrats more than Republicans.

GOP campaign strategists view several of these freshmen as unlikely winners who benefited from unusual local circumstances and may fall in 2010. Among them are four first-termers in heavily Republican districts where Obama got no more than 40 percent of the vote but where the GOP suffered from flawed candidates or the residue of bitter primaries.

The path was relatively easy last year for the sophomores holding what had been GOP seats in 2006. Only seven of the group were re-elected with no more than 55 percent of the vote, compared with 20 who exceeded the threshold of what often defines a competitive race. In addition, three of the class of 2006 were defeated last November: Nancy Boyda of Kansas; Nick Lampson of Texas, who was viewed as a fluke winner in 2006 after the resignation that year of scandal-plagued Majority Leader Tom DeLay; and Tim Mahoney of Florida, who was largely abandoned by Democrats after reports of multiple romantic affairs while he was in office.

Although many of the second-termers could face significant challenges in 2010, they have the benefit of having notched a re-election success -- often against competitive challengers. "We still have to work hard. But our comfort level with our districts has increased," said Rep. Jason Altmire, D-Pa., who was re-elected with 56 percent of the vote in his rematch last year -- bettering the 52 percent he won when he ousted GOP Rep. Melissa Hart in 2006. Two members of the House sophomore class are running for the Senate next year, and a third -- Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. -- was appointed to a Senate seat last January.

Another sign that the second-termers have moved into the House's mainstream is that they have not sought to influence the health care reform measure by working directly with their class. "We are less cohesive than we were last time," Altmire said. "We all have our priorities." In part, the sophomores have secured their own sources of influence: 11 of the original 30 serve on one of the three House committees that worked extensively on the bill.

Similarly, an important source of confidence for the second-termers is their abundant campaign fundraising. As of September 30, 14 of the 24 Democrats seeking a third term had more than $500,000 cash-on-hand in their campaign accounts. "There will be an active campaign debate next year.... But as long as I stick with my core values, I should be fine," said Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo., who won an open seat in 2006 that had been held by a Republican and was re-elected with 63 percent of the vote last year. The more than $900,000 in his campaign coffers will aid his cause.

The freshmen, too, have been prolific fundraisers. As of September 30, 24 of the 28 had at least $500,000 in campaign funds. But they will likely need it: Many of them have already drawn competitive challengers. The most recent campaign finance reports showed that 22 have opponents with at least $100,000 cash-on-hand. Only 11 of the second-termers faced a similar situation, according to the reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Early Campaign Planning

House Republicans can barely contain their glee as they contemplate the prospect of challenging many of these freshmen. The growing GOP optimism about 2010 has been fueled partly by the prospect of unseating veteran Democratic incumbents who Republicans say have lost touch with their districts. Party strategists, however, are also hoping that new members will become victims of growing public unhappiness with Congress and the Democrats' agenda, plus the continuing economic pain. Some GOP operatives think that the Republicans have an outside chance of regaining the House.

At the National Republican Congressional Committee, aides highlight the many potentially competitive challengers who have already stepped forward. Regardless of the outcome of the health reform debate, they expect that the strong field will help their side. "Nancy Pelosi's insistence on the public option has become a problem for many freshmen because it's not popular in many of their districts.... They can't credibly distance themselves from Pelosi," an NRCC official said. Republicans have been collecting liberal-leaning statements and votes of freshmen that GOP challengers will likely cite during the campaign.

"The election will be more troublesome for junior members because they have less of a political track record. Many members in vulnerable heartland districts are being put in a position that will be hard to defend," said Rep. Pat Tiberi, R-Ohio, who is a close ally of Minority Leader John Boehner and is especially encouraged by the prospect of ousting the three freshman Democrats from their home state.

He singled out Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy, who won last year with 46 percent of the vote in a Columbus-based district where two conservative-leaning, third-party candidates racked up 9 percent of the ballots. Described by Tiberi as a liberal "true believer" on health care reform, Kilroy has launched a grassroots initiative to focus attention on the issue. Republican Steve Stivers, who narrowly lost to Kilroy, is running again. Democrats have attacked Stivers -- a former state senator -- for his work as a bank lobbyist.

Many of the prime GOP targets hold seats in heavily rural districts, such as Kratovil, whose turf includes Maryland's Eastern Shore. State Sen. Andy Harris has announced a rematch of the contest that Kratovil won last year, 49 percent to 48 percent; Harris had earlier ousted Rep. Wayne Gilchrest in the GOP primary.

Harris, an anesthesiologist who has served on the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine faculty for 25 years and has been a state senator since 1999, emphasizes the need for tort reform and more-competitive health care options for consumers. He is eager to discuss Kratovil's handling of the issue. "Part of the frustration with him in the district is that it's not clear what he wants. He says different things to different audiences," Harris said, citing Kratovil's support for a public insurance option while criticizing other features of the measure. He added that the Democrat prevailed last year largely because Kratovil had "fuzzy" views on many issues. "Now he has a voting record, and he has gone along with his party many times on its Big-Government philosophy."

Kratovil, who previously served for six years as a county prosecutor, conceded that he has cast some difficult votes but added, "They were the right votes.... It's a tough time for the country, and we need to act." He supported the final House-Senate agreement on the economic stimulus bill in February, after earlier opposing House passage of a slightly costlier version. Much of his effort on health reform has had a local angle, including the need to assure adequate medical services in rural areas.

Van Hollen has conceded that many freshman Democrats will face tough contests, and he wants to ensure that they won't be surprised. As DCCC chairman, he has worked with many of them to demonstrate legislative and constituency-based accomplishments, and he has encouraged them to set fundraising and communications benchmarks for their local efforts. Of the 42 members listed for special attention in the DCCC's "Frontline" program to protect vulnerable incumbents, 30 are first-termers and 10 others are sophomores; in the coming months, Democrats hope to shorten that list.

Democratic leaders, including Pelosi, "understand that for all of us to be successful, the freshmen must be successful," Van Hollen said. Despite occasional tension that their moderate views have created with committee chairmen on legislative details, he continued, the House has been responsive to their concerns. The freshmen, for their part, have made it clear that party leaders have no real choice if they want to secure 218 votes and deliver on Pelosi's frequent pledge that "failure is not an option."

As the successor DCCC chairman to Rahm Emanuel, now the White House chief of staff, Van Hollen -- who has an upscale constituency in the Washington suburbs -- has gained added appreciation for the often delicate balance in accommodating the needs of policy and politics. "In contrast to Rahm, who started as a political strategist and became a policy wonk, Van Hollen started as the policy wonk and has become a skillful political adviser," a senior House Democratic aide said. "Both have been very helpful and important to the Democratic leadership."

Emanuel and Van Hollen face a litany of challenges these days and will be judged accordingly. But unlike Emanuel, who left the House at the peak of his influence, Van Hollen is still climbing, and the trajectory of his rise in the House will be affected by his stewardship of the freshmen at the start of the Obama administration.

For many first-term Democrats, the outcome of the weighty congressional agenda will pose a starker test of their political survival. Although they are well aware of the risks, especially with health care reform, some warn that it's too early to count them out.

"I have not experienced a lot of angst and hand-wringing in our class. Many are at peace with what they do and are willing to pay a price," Virginia's Connolly said. "I believe that we will pass a bill, and it will be appreciated by the public." Asked whether the freshmen will be judged as skillful and effective, he concluded, "I will let you say that."