To many, (Lynch D-MA-9) declaration not surprising

[unhappycamper]

To many, declaration not surprising
By Brian C. Mooney
Globe Staff / March 19, 2010

Representative Stephen F. Lynch’s declaration yesterday that he will vote against a bill to overhaul national health care came as no surprise to those familiar with his deliberations. He has sent signals to some labor leaders recently that he intended to oppose the legislation and had agonized before voting last November in favor of a more expansive House version, one Lynch adviser said yesterday.

The South Boston Democrat determined the current bill, closely paralleling a version passed by the Senate in December, was inferior and would not be good for his district, said the adviser who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak.

Another adviser, Steve Murphy, Lynch’s longtime Washington-based media strategist, said Lynch’s decision is not inconsistent with his vote last fall in favor of a different version.

“It lets the insurance industry keep on doing what it’s been doing, and it taxes health benefits, forcing workers to pay for the sins of the insurance industry,’’ Murphy said, referring to the Senate version that would generate revenue by imposing a surcharge on “Cadillac’’ health plans.

Lynch, an abortion opponent, did not cite the bill’s abortion language as a factor. The Senate bill’s language placing limits on abortions under federally subsidized plans is less restrictive than the House bill Lynch backed last year.


Rest of article about my corporate congresscritter at: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2010/03/19/to_many_lynch_declaration_not_surprising/