California’s House delegation split along party lines in healthcare vote

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The California delegation broke strictly along party lines on the healthcare overhaul legislation that narrowly passed the House on Saturday, with Democrats voting for it and Republican against it.

‘Our nation is much better off with this bill than we would be without it,’’ said Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Stockton). ‘This legislation is not perfect; no bill in Congress ever is. But it offers significant improvement in our current healthcare system, and it will provide enormous benefits for those I was elected to represent.’’

But Rep. Gary Miller (R-Diamond Bar) called the bill the ‘wrong prescription’ and a ‘$1-trillion Washington takeover of our nation’s healthcare system.’’

Three California Democrats -- Joe Baca of Rialto, Cardoza and Jim Costa of Fresno -- broke from the majority of their party members to support a provision that placed restrictions on abortion. The provision, opposed by all of the other California Democrats, was supported by all of the California Republicans.

Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) assailed the anti-abortion language, saying it will mean ‘more women will have their reproductive health choices made by politicians and anti-choice zealots in Washington, D.C., instead of by themselves and their doctors.’

‘Comprehensive health insurance reform legislation is not the place to be re-debating federal abortion policy, nor is it the place to dramatically expand or contract access to abortion services,’’ she added.

Although she supported the overall bill, she pledged to work to remove the language from the final bill.

Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice), who supported the overall bill, warned that if the final bill that emerges from House-Senate negotiations includes the anti-abortion language, ‘my conscience demands that I reconsider my support.’

-- Richard Simon in Washington