Taylor Opposes Obamacare; Childers 'wait and see'

Clarion Ledger - Blue Dogs stall health care

Fiscally conservative House Democrats, including Mississippi's Gene Taylor and Travis Childers, thrust themselves into the middle of the health-care debate this week, blocking legislation drafted by their own party's leadership.

"Trying to help people with health-care problems is not a bad idea. The problem is as a nation we're going to have trouble paying for the promises we've already made," Taylor said.

Taylor, who met with several fellow Blue Dogs after their meeting with Obama, said he was disappointed.

"I felt that some of them were wavering, whereas a week ago they were solidly against it," said Taylor, who represents the 4th District. "The whole purpose of the Blue Dog (Coalition) is fiscal responsibility. We have to be the ones who have to ask, 'Can we afford it? Can we pay for it?' "

Taylor said he wouldn't vote for the House health-care bill as written because it doesn't go far enough to address issues such as the possibility that Medicare will run out of funds sooner than predicted.

He said the bill should change Medicare to allow the federal government to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies over drug prices, provide more incentives for seniors to rely on cheaper generic drugs and create more competition for health insurance companies. "None of them is really going after trying to contain cost," Taylor said of the House bill and a similar one in the Senate.

Childers, D-Booneville, said he's still waiting to see a final version of the bill.

"No matter how the congressman votes, he's going to do what's best for north Mississippi and not based on party affiliation," said Dana Edelstein, a spokeswoman for Childers, who represents the 1st District.

Taylor said he hasn't been approached by Republicans but would "welcome some outreach from them or anyone else who has concerns about the bill."