Nov. 5, 2009

By Bill Theobald
TENNESSEAN WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON — Rep. Bart Gordon, D-Murfreesboro, announced Wednesday that he will vote against a House bill to reform the nation's health-care system.

"Although the current House bill has improved in some areas, I can't support it as it stands now," Gordon said in a written statement. "I am concerned about a mandated government-run public option, and I do not like this bill's financial impact on the state of Tennessee."

The legislation would create a government health insurance program as one option that people could choose.

Gordon said he remains hopeful that the health reform proposals may be changed enough during the legislative process that he could end up supporting it.

A vote on the House health reform legislation is now scheduled for Saturday.
Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen has said that the expansion of Medicaid coverage that is part of the Senate and House proposals would cost the state millions of dollars each year.

Gordon is a member of the conservative Blue Dog Coalition of Democrats, who are considered key to passage of the health reform legislation in the House.

He voted for an earlier version of health reform legislation as a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Rep. Bart Godon of TN opposes House health-reform bill

Let's hope he doesn't flip-flop.