House Committee Blue Dog Dems May See In-District Health Reform Benefits

On July 24, the House Energy and Commerce Committee released to each representative a district-level analysis of the estimated impact of H.R. 3200, the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act, the legislation proposed by three House committees. The Energy and Commerce Committee is the only of the three House committees that has not yet approved the measure. The reports provide estimates for each congressional district on the number of employers and individuals who would benefit from this reform and the proportion of persons in the district who would be affected by a surtax on high income..

Some “Blue Dog” Democrats on the Energy and Commerce Committee have been withholding their approval and pushing for additional cost-control measures in health reform. There are eight Blue Dog Democrats on the Committee—Mike Ross (Ark.), Jane Harmon (Cal.), John Barrow (Ga.), Baron Hill (Ind.), Charlie Melancon (la.), Zach Space (Oh.), Bart Gordon (Tenn.), and Jim Matheson (Utah). .The Blue Dog Coalition, composed of 51 members, describes itself as “fiscally conservative” Democrats who say they aim to represent the center of the House of Representatives and appeal to the “mainstream values of the American public.”..

Let’s take a brief look at the estimated benefits of H.R. 3200 for the congressional districts of these eight Blue Dog Democrats and see how much fiscal responsibility they would be exerting for their constitutents.

Rep. Mike Ross, 4th District, Ark.--up to 12,500 small businesses could receive tax credits to provide coverage to their employees; 6,700 seniors would avoid the donut hole in Medicare Part D; 1,500 families could escape bankruptcy each year due to unaffordable health care costs; health care providers would receive payment for $155 million in uncompensated care each year; and 124,000 uninsured individuals would gain access to high-quality, affordable health insurance.

Rep. Jane Harman, 36th District, Cal.--up to 14,300 small businesses; 1,600 seniors; $22 million for uncompensated care; and 63,000 uninsured individuals would gain access..

Rep. Baron P. Hill, 9th District, Ind.--up to 14,000 small businesses; 6,300 seniors; 2,000 families; $93 million for uncompensated care; and 72,000 uninsured individuals would gain access.

Rep. John Barrow, 12th District, Ga.--up to 13,800 small businesses; 2,900 seniors; 2,000 families; $69 million for uncompensated care; and 94,000 uninsured individuals would gain access..

Rep. Charlie Melancon, 3rd District, La.--up to 11,000 small businesses; 3,000 seniors; 350 families, $146 million in uncompensated care; and 115,000 uninsured individuals would gain access.

Rep. Zack Space, 18th District, Ohio--up to 11,500 small businesses; 3,800 seniors; 1,100 families; $103 million for uncompensated care; and 88,000 uninsured individuals would gain access.

Rep. Bart Gordon, 6th District, Tenn.--up to 11,600 small businesses; 3,500 seniors; 200 families; $92 million for uncompensated care; and 107,000 uninsured individuals would gain access.

Rep. Jim Matheson, 2nd District, Utah--up to 22,200 small businesses; 4,600 seniors; 450 families; $123 million for uncompensated carer; and 83,000 uninsured individuals would gain access.

The totals for these representatives’ eight districts alone amount to 746,000 uninsured getting access to affordable, high quality health insurance, and $803 million potential savings from avoided uncompensated care. Maybe these Blue Dogs will finally see the light.