Representative Dan Boren Weighs In On Health Care Vote

By Terry Hood, The News On 6 

WASHINGTON -- The historic health care vote is over, but there isn't any let-up in the raging debate.

President Obama could sign the health care overhaul into law as soon as Tuesday.

The House voted 219 to 212 Monday night to pass the measure.  No Republicans voted for the bill and 34 Democrats voted against it.

In order to get enough Democrats on board, the House also had to pass a second bill changing Senate provisions it didn't like. The Senate will take up that so called "fix-it bill" Tuesday.

The health care reform bill passed without any help from Oklahoma lawmakers.  Every member of our five-member congressional delegation voted no.  That includes Dan Boren, the lone Democrat representing Oklahoma. 

3/21/2010  Related Story: Oklahoma's Congressional Delegation Votes 'No' On Health Care Reform Bill

Boren spoke Monday afternoon with News on 6 Anchor Terry Hood.

Terry Hood: Well, thank you first of all for being with us (Monday). You had quite an evening (Sunday) night.

Rep. Dan Boren -- (D) Oklahoma: It was a long night. And it's been a long year frankly, especially on this issue of health care.

Hood: And you were disappointed obviously with the outcome.

Boren: I was, you know, as a Democrat I do have mixed emotions. I think we always have strived to provide more access to health care for our constituents and you know, there are some good parts of the bill, but overwhelmingly there are some real problems with the legislation. My constituents were very opposed to it. The poll numbers, we got back an independent poll, not one that we commissioned -- only 17 percent of my constituents supported the bill. And it wasn't just that that was very important to me, but also the cost. We are in the middle of a recession right now. We simply can't afford a brand new entitlement program.

Hood: Is it done now or is there more that opponents are going to try to do?

Boren: I think for those who are saying 'we're going to have a full repeal of this bill.' I would say that is very unlikely. You still have a president, even after this election, will be in office who would veto any type of legislation to repeal the bill. And I'm not for repealing the pre-existing condition issue. I'm not for repealing, you know, some of the good portions of the bill. I am for repealing some of the bad parts, so hopefully we can get together and be bipartisan and see how this shakes out.

Hood: Congressman Boren, thank you so much for being with us (Monday). We appreciate it.

Boren: Thank you.

Click on the featured videos to see Terry Hood's entire interview with Rep. Dan Boren.

State lawmakers in Oklahoma are looking for a way to opt out of the health care bill. A bill already passed the state house and now awaits a vote in the Senate. It would allow Oklahoma voters to change Oklahoma's constitution, adding a Freedom of Healthcare Act. 

The act would declare what types of health care systems could lawfully exist in the state.