Way to go Adam!

Adam Smith a "yea" on health bill; Baird still undecided

Posted by Kyung Song

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Adam Smith announced Saturday that he will back the House's historic vote on health reform scheduled for Sunday, leaving Rep. Brian Baird as the sole member of Washington's congressional delegation who remains undecided.

Smith, D-Tacoma, voted for the original House health-reform bill in November with great reluctance. But he said the Senate-based version of the bill that the House is now weighing controls costs more effectively and is a better piece of legislation.

"I support this legislation because it is the best available step forward for reform," Smith's statement said. "With health care costs ever increasing, we need leadership on these tough issues...The fact that reform is controversial should not be a reason to avoid it. Supporting it now demonstrates leadership."

Though Smith had given indications of favoring the new bill, hehad officially remained on the fence until now. But some congressional scorekeepers had already been counting his vote as a yes.

For example, a tally by The New York Times included Smith among the 206 Democrats expected to support the measure. At least 10 more Democrats must vote yes for passage. The Republicans are unanimously opposed to the bill.

Smith had been targeted in an advertising blitz by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which opposes reforms. But in the end, Smith said, it was the strength of the Senate-based bill itself that tipped his decision to back it.

Despite some Republicans' demands, Smith said scrapping the reform bill and starting over was not in the country's best interest.

Baird, of Vancouver, is one of 21 Democrats who remain uncommitted. Baird was one of 39 House Democrats who voted no in November. Baird, who is retiring after six terms in Congress, has said he is reconsidering his vote because the two bills are different.

Baird's spokesman reaffirmed Saturday afternoon that he is still deliberating about Sunday's vote.

Smith's affirmation came just hours after House Democrats hashed out a fix for Medicare payment formulas that shortchange Washington and other cost-efficient states. Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Bainbridge Island, was among those who concluded the negotiations at 3 a.m. Saturday.

The deal would boost payments to Washington, Oregon, Iowa, Wisconsin and other states that treat each Medicare senior for less moneythan their more expensive peers. For instance, a 2006 study found that Hawaii spends an average of $5,311 per Medicare enrollee while New York spend $9,564.

The Medicare disparity was a key remaining concern for Rep. Norm Dicks of Bremerton and other members of the delegation who otherwise supported the reform bill.


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