The list of 53: Iowa Legislators who supported health care reform

Something caught my attention on the 2010 Chad Steenhoek Voter Guide for Iowa House District 46. Chad is running against incumbent Lisa Heddens (D). The “something” is this website:

http://www.progressivestates.org/statefedhealth/letter

When I checked out the website I found a list of 53 Iowa Legislators who signed a letter in support of Health Care Reform. I will share the entire list and a portion of the letter in this post.

Included among the reasons listed for the push for a Health Care Bill:

• Choice of a quality public health care plan
• Strengthening and expanding the Medicaid Program
• Cost containment

Health Care was just one more issue where our elected officials believed they knew what was best for all of us.

Wrong.

According to an October 25, 2010 Rasmussen Reports this is what Americans think about what was forced upon Americans:

A majority of voters continue to favor repeal of the new national health care law, and the number who sees this outcome as likely has reached a new high.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 53% of Likely U.S. voters favor repeal of the health care law, including 43% who Strongly Favor repeal. Forty-two percent (42%) oppose repeal of the bill, with 32% who are Strongly Opposed

Now a portion of the letter and the long list of Iowa Legislators that signed it. If you oppose the national health care law, please pay close attention to the names on the  list:

Over 1000 Legislators Sign Letters Supporting Federal Health Care Reform

In 2009, legislators working with Progressive States Network joined together to form State Legislators for Progressive Health Care Reform. Over 1,000 state legislators signed letters urging the Obama Administration and Congress to pass comprehensive health care reform legislation, including the choice of a public health insurance plan.

Failure to pass national comprehensive health reform now will further jeopardize state and local budgets, undermining public services like education, public safety, and transportation infrastructure. The recently passed economic recovery package includes a number of positive health care measures, but these do not remove states from the critical list. Achieving a high-performing, affordable and quality health care system for all US residents is central to a sustainable economic recovery and to the health and financial security of all families, businesses, and governments.

Rep. McKinley Bailey (IA)
Rep. John Beard (IA)
Sen. Joe Bolkcom (IA), Member, Human Services Committee; Assistant Majority Leader
Sen. Thomas Courtney (IA), Majority Whip
Sen. Jeff Danielson (IA), President Pro Tempore
Sen. Robert Dvorsky (IA)
Rep. Gene Ficken (IA)
Sen. Eugene Fraise (IA)
Rep. Marcella Frevert (IA)
Rep. Mary Gaskill (IA)
Rep. Elesha Gayman (IA), Assistant Majority Leader
Sen. Michael Gronstal (IA), Majority Leader
Sen. Tom Hancock (IA)
Sen. Jack Hatch (IA), Co-Chair, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee; Assistant Majority Leader
Sen. William Heckroth (IA), Assistant Majority Leader
Rep. Lisa Heddens (IA), Co-Chair, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee; Member, Human Services Committee
Sen. Robert Hogg (IA)
Rep. Bruce Hunter (IA), Member, Human Services Committee
Sen. Pam Jochum (IA)
Rep. Jerry Kearns (IA)
Sen. Jack Kibbie (IA), Senate President
Sen. Keith Kreiman (IA)
Rep. Bob Kressig (IA)
Rep. Vicki Lensing (IA)
Rep. Jim Lykam (IA)
Rep. Larry Marek (IA)
Sen. Matt McCoy (IA)
Rep. Pat Murphy (IA), Speaker of the House
Rep. Rick Olson (IA)
Rep. Tyler Olson (IA), Member, Human Services Committee
Rep. Eric Palmer (IA)
Sen. Herman Quirmbach (IA), Member, Human Services Committee
Sen. Amanda Ragan (IA), Chair, Human Resources Committee; Vice-Chair, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee
Rep. Nathan Reichert (IA)
Sen. Becky Schmitz (IA), Vice-Chair, Human Resources Committee; Member, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee
Sen. Brian Schoenjahn (IA)
Rep. Thomas Schueller (IA)
Sen. Joe Seng (IA)
Rep. Mark Smith (IA), Chair, Human Resources Committee; Member, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee
Sen. Steve Sodders (IA)
Rep. Sharon Steckman (IA), Member, Human Services Committee
Sen. Roger Stewart (IA)
Rep. Kurt Swaim (IA)
Rep. Dick Taylor (IA)
Rep. Todd Taylor (IA)
Rep. Phyllis Thede (IA)
Rep. Roger Thomas (IA)
Rep. Roger Wendt (IA), Member, Human Services Committee
Rep. John Whitaker (IA)
Rep. Wesley Whitead (IA)
Rep. Nate Willems (IA)
Rep. Cindy Winckler (IA)
Rep. Ray Zirkelbach (IA)

Steve King, Republican, Iowa has been in the news for his opinion on what can be done about the unpopular Health Care Bill. I am thankful for King’s determination to undo the damage that so many Iowa elected officials united in to force upon us.

King fully expects a showdown with President Barack Obama over health care in 2011.

King said he knows the current health care system needs improvement. But better steps than Obama’s bill, he said, would be to allow purchasing policies across state lines, tort reform and making health insurance tax deductible for all — not just those who get it through their employers.

Now it is up to Iowa voters to pay attention to which Representatives got us in this health care mess. And more importantly, who we can elect to repeal the current bill and create a new and improved one.

It is obvious that voters who oppose the current health care bill can count on Chad Steenhoek and Steve King to listen to the voices of We the People!

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