On health plan, U.S. Rep. Dan Boren says he’s ‘a no vote’

MUSKOGEE — Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly 3-1 in Muskogee County, but the sole Democrat in Oklahoma’s congressional delegation at times seemed to be on the defensive during his town hall meeting.

U.S. Rep. Dan Boren got his largest ovation when he told a hometown crowd of more than 300 Tuesday he would vote against the House Democrats’ health care bill.

"I am a no vote,” said Boren, D-Muskogee, of the proposed health care reform measure by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Boren was asked what could be done, besides Democrats losing control of the House, to remove Pelosi from the leadership position. Many in the crowd cheered.

As Boren talked about how seniority played a large role in leadership positions, several in the crowd shouted, "Term limits.”

Boren drew criticism for his votes for the economic stimulus bill earlier this year and a large bailout bill last fall.

He said the measures were seen as a way to boost the economy and to prevent unemployment numbers not seen since the Great Depression.

"This economy is still very fragile,” he said.

The growing national deficit, the federal economic stimulus bill and the federal bailout of several insurance companies, banks and two automobile companies were brought up during the two-hour meeting at the Muskogee Civic Center.

But it was health care that brought most attendees out.

Boren said the U.S. has the best health care system in the world, "but the system has its flaws.”

Boren said he’s concerned people with pre-existing medical conditions can’t get health insurance, and he said it might be time for insurance companies to be required to cover such medical procedures as colonoscopies.

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