Perriello says he's undecided on health-care bill

Rep. Tom Perriello, D-5th District

By: Ray Reed | The News & Advance
Published: October 30, 2009

At least two issues stand between Rep. Tom Perriello, D-5th District, and a “yes” vote on the health care bill that was proposed in the House of Representatives this week, he and his spokeswoman said Friday.

Perriello won’t support the bill if it allows federal funding of abortion, said Jessica Barba, his spokeswoman. He’s negotiating to get the bill’s abortion language cleared up, Barba said.

Also, the bill will need to allow interstate competition among health insurance companies, Perriello said during a conference call with reporters Friday. The feature could reduce the amounts people would pay for insurance coverage.

Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-6th District, said the House bill has many more problems than the two Perriello said were bothering him most.

The bill introduced Thursday by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi “completely misses the mark,” Goodlatte said, asserting that it would put Washington in control of patients’ treatments and drive up the cost of private health insurance.

Goodlatte said Republicans have “a better way” that doesn’t focus on regulating health insurance and would give patients more choices and make insurance more affordable.

Goodlatte said Republican proposals would let “insurers sell policies across state lines to increase competition and lower premium costs,” along with providing medical liability reform, also called tort reform.

Perriello said he’s in favor of those things too, especially the interstate competition.

“I’ve moved from ‘no’ to ‘undecided’” on whether to vote for the health care bill, Perriello said.

“I’m always trying to get to a ‘yes’ on the bill. I want to take the weekend to look through all 1,900 pages of it in detail,” Perriello said.

Debate is scheduled to begin next week on the House floor.

Perriello said he will be negotiating with House leaders about the bill’s language on abortion and interstate competition for insurance, among other issues.

“I think we’re moving in the right direction, but I’m not committed yet,” Perriello said Friday.