Newly elected Democrats waver on health plan

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Newly elected Democrats waver on health plan

Two freshly elected Democrats are wavering in their support of healthcare reform, as a rancorous summer series of “town hall” debates appears to be ­hardening opposition against the Obama administration.

Frank Kratovil and Tom Perriello, who as freshmen congressmen would be expected to back the party leadership, both say proposals for expanding coverage to the uninsured are un­acceptable in their current form and should focus more on cost savings.

Mr Kratovil, who was hanged in effigy by a healthcare protester at a town hall meeting in his state of Maryland, said he would have voted against legislation if it had come to a vote last month.

Tom Perriello, another new representative from neighbouring Virginia, also says he is not yet ready to support the current proposals in the House of Representatives, partly because he is “still getting feedback from . . . constituents”.

Neither man has ruled out voting for a revised package...

Mounting opposition among such newly elected legislators played a particularly important role in the collapse of the Clinton administration’s effort to push through healthcare reform in 1994.

This time, some commentators, such as Joe Scarborough, a television host and former Republican congressman opposed to Mr Obama’s proposals, say ­feelings are even more passionate.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/72feb2fa-8846-11...144feabdc0.html