Democrats Short of Votes to Pass Sweeping Health Care Legislation

Democratic leaders in the House are far short of the votes needed to pass comprehensive health care legislation, according to vote counts by the most ardent supporters of universal health insurance. The counts, compiled by a coalition of over 75 groups, show that more than 60 Democrats are firmly opposed to the Gephardt bill, which would require employers to pay 80 percent of their workers' health insurance premiums. The tally lists 153 Democrats as supporters of the bill, 22 as leaning in favor, and 15 as undecided or neutral, leaving the Democrats well short of the 218 votes needed to pass the bill. The Senate is also hesitant to adopt widespread changes to the health care system, with 51 senators likely to vote against proposals that require employers to contribute to the cost of health insurance for their employees.

Key Takeaways:

• The Gephardt bill, which would require employers to pay 80 percent of their workers' health insurance premiums, is facing significant opposition from over 60 Democrats in the House.
• The Senate tally suggests that 51 senators are likely to vote against proposals that require employers to contribute to the cost of health insurance for their employees.
• The coalition's vote counts are based on statements by members of Congress to lobbyists in Washington and to constituents back home, as well as spot checks by The New York Times.
• The opposition to the Gephardt bill comes from a range of Democrats, including those from the South and the Southwest, as well as from other parts of the country.
• Representative Pomeroy of North Dakota, a member of the coalition supporting the Gephardt bill, has expressed his opposition to the bill, citing concerns about imposing a new burden on employers and creating a larger role for government.
• The Senate's alternative proposal, the "mainstream coalition," has been criticized by President Clinton for not requiring employers to pay for their workers' insurance.

Statistics:

• 153 Democrats have expressed support for the Gephardt bill.
• 22 Democrats are leaning in favor of the bill.
• 15 Democrats are undecided or neutral.
• 60 Democrats are firmly opposed to the Gephardt bill.
• 51 senators are likely to vote against proposals that require employers to contribute to the cost of health insurance for their employees.
• The coalition's vote counts are based on statements from over 75 groups.

Sources:

• "Democrats Short of Votes to Pass Comprehensive Health Care Legislation," The New York Times.
• "Health Care Developments," The New York Times.
• "Health Care Developments," The New York Times. (Caputisoner's Diary)
• "Mainstream Coalition" Proposal (as outlined in the article)