The cost of Boren's vote to Oklahomans without health care

Written by: T Nuspl on Mar 19, 2010 3:30 PM EDT

The good news is that the Democratically-controlled Congress is getting ready to use its majority in both upper and lowers chambers of government to pass some sort of health care reform, improving the lot for many Americans. In so doing it upholds the Democratic principle of working to extend health care coverage. Even Obama has dropped (finally!) the pretense of doing reform as a bi-partisan effort, which was always really a means of thwarting reform altogether. As I've stated before, I am deeply suspicious of Obama's motives and tactics, and I stand together with people such as Miles Mogalescu, who fear Obama's intention from the get go has been to thwart the public option, for the sake of his cronies in the health industry.

There are many serious problems with the bill about to be passed in the House, in particular, its omission of a public option, or government-run not-for-profit solution to the health care morass. DFA has been consistent in supporting the public option, so it is a sad day when a bill passes without it, despite the efforts of the million plus supporters of a public option, subscribed here to DFA chapters nationwide. The Democratic leadership seems very much out of touch, in omitting the public option, supported by 65% of Americans and by 85% of Democrats.

But here in Oklahoma, health care reform of whatever kind or stripe can get no help from the sole Democrat (in a safe seat) representing Oklahoma. Dan Boren (OK-2) refused to listen to his constituents at health care town halls, and continues to vote with insurance companies against the present Democratically-brokered bill, thereby sacrificing the health of Oklahomans in his district. He seems to be an egregious example of a corporate-owned Democrat, a feckless Dem without any courage to do the right thing. Without mentioning the costs to Oklahomans outside his district, what are the costs of Boren's vote, just within the Oklahoma Second Congressional District?

Boren's vote against the bill means, in his district alone:

 Abandoning up to 210,000 families and 11,600 small businesses who cannot afford coverage, because Boren will vote 'no' to giving them tax credits or other assistance.
 Leaving behind 137,000 seniors, sending them down the so-called the donut hole, in Medicare coverage, because Boren will vote no to improving coverage for seniors.
 Leaving 135,500 residents uninsured, because Boren apparently is blind to their plight, and turns the other direction when he sees them.
 Condemning 21,700 residents with pre-existing conditions who cannot obtain coverage, because Boren is willing to adopt the Republican plan for them: "Die quicker. Die sooner"
 Condemning 900 families in Eastern Oklahoma to bankruptcy, because they cannot affordable health care bills they've accumulated, with nary a concern from Boren.
 Preventing 59,000 young adults, that means potential Young Democrats, 18 to 25 years old, from obtain coverage through their parents’ insurance plans, since Boren prefers the young to suffer.
 Denying millions of dollars in new funding for 19 community health centers, within his own district, with the concomitant loss of jobs.
 Increasing the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and other health care providers by $95
million annually, because Boren is a spendthrift, whenever it comes to bills that hospitals pass on to his constituents.
 The same poor coverage or reduced coverage for the existing 310,000 residents with health insurance, and not a thought from Boren for the 25% of his constituents lacking care altogether.

The source for the above statistics:
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/health_care/districts/new/OK2.Boren.pdf

Boren does not think that the average family of four making $50,000 deserves the average tax credit that this reform bill pegs at approximately $5,800 per family. As far as Boren is concerned, these families and other individuals should be made to pay and pay for health care coverage, with endless bills and financial ruin because of health care bills. Boren is "okay" with denying coverage to those with cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, putting the lie to the creed "Democrats Care." When it comes to Boren, his creed is: "Boren doesn't care one whit."

Why doesn't he run as a Republican, for all his heartlessness?

There is virtually nothing distinguishing his 'no' vote on health care from the obstructionist tactics of Republicans who are also perfectly happy voting against the interests of the average Oklahoman, for the sake of corporate benefactors to campaigns. He's bought and paid for by the health/hospital lobby, like so many of his Republican friends in Congress.

Why do OK-2 voters continue to vote this man into office? WassamatterwifOklahoma?

Is there no genuine, caring Democrat in Eastern Oklahoma willing to stand up for what's best for Oklahomans? We could use at least one 'yes' from Oklahoma when the Democrats as a whole are voting in favor of health care reform. 'Status-Quo Dan' deserves to be thrown out of office for his 'no' vote on health care reform.

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Location: Muskogee, OK