LEWISTON — U.S. Reps. Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree, both Democrats, voted in support of the health care reform bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Saturday by a vote of 220-215.
Michaud, who represents Maine's 2nd District, had said Friday he wasn't certain how he would vote. In a statement released on Saturday, Michaud said after hundreds of meetings and "lots of soul searching" he decided to support the sweeping legislation, despite his concerns.
"I have decided that being at the table will more effectively advance the interests of the people of Maine than by standing on the sidelines," he said in the statement. "I remain concerned about parts of the bill that cut Medicare and Medicaid. These concerns were raised by many in Maine, and I have made sure that they have been heard by the highest levels of government in our nation."
Pingree, who represents Maine's 1st District, had previously announced her support for the House bill.
"I am so proud to be here casting the vote that so many of my constituents have waited too long for," she said in a statement released Saturday. "This bill moves us much closer to a time when no one can be denied health care coverage because of a pre-existing condition, no one can be told you can't have health care coverage, no one will have to go into personal bankruptcy."
The U.S. Senate has yet to schedule a vote on its version of the legislation. If the Senate passes a health care bill, Democratic leadership from the House and Senate will meet to write a compromise version, which reconciles the differences between the two. Both would then have to pass the new draft of the legislation before it would get sent to the president's desk for a signature.
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Good luck getting a response
Good luck getting a response from Michaud.
I inquired if he was willing to drop his congressional health benefits and go on the same plan as the rest of us saps.
Never said yes or no. I did recieve a nice form letter that went through the usual talking points.
You want to trust the same government that brought you public schools, medicare, social security and Nancy Pelosi, et al?
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.D Wilson, although I dont
D Wilson, although I dont agree with you, I take it that you have read the bill. Please, everyone else, read the bill before commenting. Stop repeating the propaganda you hear in the news and generate your own opinion based on actual knowledge. for the ones that are against it--Do you think it is okay for a health insurance company to drop you when you get old or sick? If you lose your job after 30 years of services--who will insure you??
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.The people of Maine elected
The people of Maine elected these two idiots. They are sheep being led by Pelosi and Obama leading our nation down the tubes. I bet they didn't even have a clue what was in the bill. I hope and pray that these two idiots will be taken out in next years election.
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Both should be congradulated. Rep. Mike Michaud had the much tougher vote. Many people (some on this page) have been fooled and mislead by industry propaganda but the fact remains that low Medicare reimbursement rates weaken health care in rural Maine. Rep. Michaud has fought hard to make those concerns heard. This historic bill had to pass and in the end Rep. Michaud listen to his constituents.
Now we need the Senate to pass it or something similiar and then take it to conference and make it better. Watch. Collins and Snowe will vote to protect insurance company profits not the people of Maine.
Jon Albrecht Dixfield
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.If you don't like what your
If you don't like what your representatives just did, you can contact them at the following sites and let them know:
http://twitter.com/RepMikeMichaud
http://twitter.com/chelliepingree
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.It is unfortunate that these
It is unfortunate that these two have chosen to support this bill which does not address the problems of healthcare but will create more problems for the people of Maine who already suffer from high unemployment and low paying jobs. I would encourage everyone to take the time NOW to read this bill to know exactly what is in it and encourage Senators Snowe and Collins to vote no and campaing against it within the senate.
This bill requires all employers with25 or more employees to provide full coverage. Many employers such as construction companies operating legally (not using illegals and avoiding paying all taxes, unemployment, comp etc) operate on an extremely small margin. Many have tried offering buyin group insurance unsucessfully. the employees were not interested. This bill will force them to cut and maintain their employment numbers at under 25 which means costing more Maine people their jobs.
This bill fines individuals $3500 per year for not having insurance. So if you are a family of for work for one of those marginal companies with less than 25 employees you owe Uncle same $14000 a year in fines because thesr is no provision for making affordable insurance available for you.
Please read the bill. It is not what you think it is.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Not only will it make some
Not only will it make some companies keep their numbers down, but will also drive up costs for services; reducing the amount of new work out there.
It is the undauntable thought, my friend. The one that says, "I'm right!" ~Bobby Sands
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Just two more sheep that are following the anointed one in ruining our country. Hopefully the country will wake up soon and see what those crooks and fools in Washington are doing to destroy our country. Chellie Pengree is just a rich puppet who is NOT doing what she should for Maine but Mike Michaud should know better.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.About time we had people
About time we had people representing us who follow the wishes of their constituents!! Collins?? Snowe?? Not so much, but then again it doesn't matter as they are irrelevant at this point.
Any problem that can't be solved with taxcuts, republicans pretend doesn't exist.
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