Betsy Markey And John Salazar Both Plan To Vote FOR Health Care Reform In Wake Of CBO Report

Betsey Markey And John Salazar Both Plan To Vote FOR Health Care Reform In Wake Of CBO Report

Update: The Denver Post reports that Betsy Markey WILL vote for the compromise health care reform bill on Sunday.

The Post's Michael Riley Reports:

CBO numbers released today likely swayed her vote, as Democrats are now pushing the measure as the biggest deficit reduction bill any member could ever vote for.

The Congressional Budget Office this morning estimated the total 10-year cost of expanding coverage at $940 billion. The nonpartisan analysts said the legislation would reduce the federal deficit by $138 billion over its first 10 years, and continue to drive down the red ink there

Meanwhile, reports are surfacing that another moderate Colorado Democrat who has shown ambivalence toward the health care bill will vote for the legislation.

The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel in Salazar's district reports that Rep. John Salazar will support the legislation in the House, calling it "probably the single largest deficit-reduction measure I will probably ever vote on."

Salazar, the brother of Obama cabinet member Ken Salazar, has been the target of anti-health care campaigns in Colorado over the last few weeks.

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As the House Democrats brace for a crucial health care vote, Freshman Colorado Democratic Congresswoman Betsy Markey (CD-4) has become the target of a pro-health care reform campaign sponsored by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Colorado chapter of an organization called Health Care For America Now.

Markey, a moderate who defeated Republican Marilyn Musgrave in the long-time GOP stronghold of CD-4, is expected to face a tough reelection contest this fall. She is under pressure to maintain her reputation as a moderate Democrat in a conservative district.

In November, Markey voted against the House health care bill supported by the Democratic leadership.

According to the Colorado Independent, the campaign "features a $1.7 million ad buy, robocalls to 4th District voters and a rally at Markey's offices in Fort Collins."

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