Plenty of pressure is being brought to bear on Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) to vote for comprehensive health care legislation. The high-profile progressive, and former presidential candidate, voted against the House health care bill in November because it lacked a sufficiently robust public option.
Now, faced with a Senate bill that contains no public option whatsoever, he says he plans to vote no again…even if that means he becomes the Ralph Nader of health care.
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“This bill represents a giveaway to the insurance industry,” Kucinich told MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell. “$70 billion a year, and no guarantees of any control over premiums, forcing people to buy private insurance…I’m sorry, I just don’t see that this bill is the solution.”
Asked, “Did we just get a “no” there?” Kucinich confirmed.
“If that sounded like a “no” you’re correct,” Kucinich said.
Pressed further, Kucinich suggested he was willing to be the deciding vote against health care reform.
“Every vote counts. I’m one of 435 members of the House of Representatives,” Kucinich insisted.
In other words, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will have to look for votes elsewhere.
