Health
(2009-11-10)
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, center, is flanked by Rep. Jim McDermott, right, and Rep. Jay Inslee during a news conference at Swedish Medical Center Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, in Seattle. Pelosi toured Swedish on her first public appearance after the House passed a health care bill over the weekend.
AP Photo/Elaine Thompson
The House approved the measure by a slim margin on Saturday night, but dozens of Democrats went against their party and voted "No" -- including Representative Brian Baird of Vancouver. The fate in the U.S. Senate is still uncertain. So, public persuasion is important for Democratic leaders. Speaker Nancy Pelosi toured Seattle's Swedish Hospital, and told reporters she wants to highlight aspects of the legislation getting less attention, such as rewarding safety and quality improvements. Swedish has won praise for reducing infections in its Intensive Care Unit, focusing on eliminating ventilator-related infections.
Meanwhile, Congressman Jay Inslee wants voters to know the health overhaul will reverse a federal Medicare policy that pays less for medical care in the Northwest than in populous states such as New York and Florida.
However, those benefits weren't enough to win Baird's vote. And fellow Democrat Adam Smith of Tacoma says he voted "Yes," but half-heartedly. Both say it doesn't do enough to reduce the cost of health care. All Republicans voted against the bill.
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