Encourages voters to contact Camp's office
By Bill Froehlich
Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 10:33 p.m.
Read more: Local, National, Politics, Health, Dave Camp, Health Care Bill, Health Care Reform
The health care reform bill could be up for discussion in the the U.S. Senate as early as Monday. But the Democratic National Committee isn't done talking about how members of the House voted.
Under the name "Organizing for America - a Project of the Democratic National Committee" - the group fired off mass emails - asking supporters to call their Congressman and voice their disagreement with those that voted against the bill - even though it already passed last weekend.
Here in northern Michigan - an email obtained by 7 &4 News this weekend criticizes Republican Dave Camp, and his vote against reform. Here's an excerpt of the email:
"A little over a year ago, the congressional district you live in voted to send Barack Obama to the White House and Rep. Dave Camp to Congress. The message was clear: Rep. Camp's constituents want change, and expect Rep. Camp to work with President Obama and reach across the aisle to help deliver it. Last weekend, Rep. Camp was called upon to do just that, in the historic vote on health reform. The vote offered a clear choice: Support a bill which draws upon ideas from both parties to guarantee Michigan's 4th district residents secure, affordable health coverage without adding a cent to the deficit, or stand with the insurance companies and right wing pundits to put politics above doing the right thing and stand in the way of history. Unfortunately, Rep. Camp made the wrong choice. "
We talked with Congressman Camp earlier in the week about his view on the Health Care Reform bill. Here's what he had to say during our interview:
"I think now it's important to communicate your views with the Senate. Our Senators are going to be voting on the bill and the President said he wants it by the end of the month.... The Senate will have an amendment process on the floor, the Senate will have many amendments. There will will be an opportunity to try to improve this, but I think the structure they've drafted is wrong for the country and wrong for Health Care reform. So I don't know how you can improve this, frankly."
"I think the bill sets up a very bureaucratic command and control, getting in the way of health care between an individual and their doctor. It raises taxes significantly and that tax increase will hurt every American because we won't see economic recovery as soon as we otherwise would have."
We also contacted Democrat Bart Stupak. While home in the district last week he was unable to meet with us for comment on the vote. However, you can click on this link to read about Stupak's address to a Health Care conference this past week in Marquette. http://www.upnorthlive.com/news/story.aspx?id=376414
What do you think about the Health Care vote? And what do you think about the email from the DNC after the vote has been cast? Leave your comments here...