Published: November 10, 2009 10:16 pm      

Hill’s yes vote on health care draws converse reactions

Television ad thanking Hill now airing in Indiana

As to be expected with such a controversial vote, feedback over Indiana Rep. Baron Hill’s support of health care reform passed Saturday by the House has been mixed.

A television ad thanking the 9th District Democrat and Indiana 8th District Democrat Brad Elsworth for their yes votes was funded by a joint effort of Americans United for Change and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

It began airing Tuesday in Indiana at a cost of $70,000 to the organizations.

“With these ads, we hope Indiana’s entire delegation will continue to hear from their constituents and be reassured that a vote for health insurance reform is not just the right thing to do, but the politically sound thing to do,” said Tom McMahon, acting executive director for Americans United for Change.

But opponents of the reform labeled Hill’s vote a rubber stamp for a government health care takeover.

“With unemployment at over 10 percent and voters clamoring for real solutions rather than more runaway spending, Hill’s decision to back his party leaders at the expense of the people he claims to represent is unconscionable,” stated National Republican Congressional Committee Communications Director Ken Spain in a news release.

Spain vowed Hill’s vote would not be forgotten when his campaign to recapture the 9th District seat heats up next year. He said Saturday signaled the beginning of the “Baron Hill farewell tour”.

Hill said the Affordable Health Care for America Act will significantly decrease the amount of uninsured Indiana residents, which stands at about 52,000, if passed by the Senate and signed into law by President Barack Obama.

It will also provide tax credits to 14,600 Indiana small businesses that reduce health insurance costs for employees, Hill said.

The removal of federal funding of abortion from the bill doused Hill’s biggest concern of the reform package, he said.

“As an elected representative I have been tasked with the weighty responsibility of acting as a good steward of the general welfare of my constituents and a good steward of their money,” Hill said. “My vote in support of the Affordable Health Care for America Act is a fulfillment of those responsibilities.”