Dahlkemper Plays Major Role in Health Care Legislation
October 29, 2009, 4:40 pm
House Democrats held a big rally on Capitol Hill Thursday as they introduced their final bill on health care reform. Representative Kathy Dahlkemper, of Erie, played a major role at the rally, and in the formation of the bill.
It was a major news day in Washington. The rally was Speaker Nancy Pelosi's show, and only a few House members were asked to speak. Dahlkemper was one of them.
The House bill would cover 36 million uninsured Americans and will be under President Obama's spending cap of $900 billion. It does include a controversial public option for insurance. That coverage would be run by the federal government.
Coverage would be created for all people, including those with pre-existing conditions. The bill protects coverage that people already have, and are happy with.
Dahlkemper's contribution to the bill was a measure that would enable young people to stay on their parents' coverage until they reach the age of 27. Her fight for that provision was the reason she was asked to speak at Thursday's rally.
A preliminary version of the health care bill was introduced in July. Dahlkemper held many town meetings in August to listen to citizens' concerns about that bill.
John Last
