Over the past year, there has been clear reason to believe that many Valley residents and many Americans see an obvious need to reform our health care system.
U.S. Rep. Chris Carney has stated repeatedly that his survey of constituents has shown that support for reform runs 2-to-1 over opposition. Last September, pro-reform citizens from Lewisburg collected 1,600 signatures on petitions they presented to Pennsylvania’s two U.S. Senators.
More recent polls show that support for the health care reform legislation has eroded.
A recent Gallup poll indicated that voters are almost evenly split on the question of whether Congress ought to pass health care reform legislation proposed by President Barack Obama. Gallup found that 48 percent of respondents are opposed to the legislation while 45 percent are in favor it, with another 7 percent of those surveyed expressing no opinion.
A poll of 300 “likely” voters in the 10th District, funded by a group opposed to what it called “Obamacare,” found greater opposition. The poll by a Republican polling firm — commissioned by StartOver! a group of almost 250 employers — found that 58 percent of respondents in the 10th District said they hope Carney does not support the health care reform proposal.
The survey gave Dave Madeira, one of the Republicans who hopes to run against Carney in the fall, something to brew with at a Tea Party protest targeting the incumbent congressman.
The polling data has been accompanied by a ratcheted-up anti-reform campaign airing in the Northeastern Pennsylvania television market, targeting Carney and neighboring Congressman Paul Kanjorski, D-11, of Nanticoke.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said Friday that the pivotal vote will likely take place this week and President Obama has reportedly delayed an overseas trip so he can be in Washington for the showdown.
Carney has said he will only support legislation that controls costs and allows people to change jobs without losing health insurance or get rejected by insurance companies for having pre-exsiting conditions. Citizens only have a few days to help the congressman determine if the reform plan on the table is worth his support. We hope voters share their views, both with Carney, and with us and other readers as we approach this historic decision.
Editorials
Approaching historic decision on health reform
- Editorials
-
-
Too much of a good thing?
NetSummary
-
Santorum's message starting to resonate
The success of U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum this week in Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri suggests he may be the candidate who can provide a serious challenge to Romney in the race for the nomination. Mitt Romney has repeatedly failed to solidify his position as front-runner or to sufficiently energize the conservative base of the GOP.
-
Rush to merge needs explanation
Previously, Northumberland had its sewer plant and Point Township was a customer of that plant. There would seem to be pretty clear advantages for Point Township to make the jump from customer to partner.
-
Measuring success of merged force
The justification for merging the police departments of East Buffalo Township and Lewisburg seems clear, but officials must carefully measure progress to make sure the combined police department is measuring up.
-
When zealots take the wheel
Twice last week, we saw a groundswell of everyday democracy reject the incursion of polarizing politics into the health and well being of ordinary Americans. In both instances, mainstream media, social media and religious networks mobilized such a broad swath of the American people that it was clear we can unify across all kinds of boundaries when fundamental beliefs are challenged by ideologues.
-
Cheers and jeers
Cheers: To Kathy Keiper, of Sunbury, will be honored as Sunbury's Citizen of the Year by the Rotary Club next month. Keiper was selected for her long service as a volunteer at the Sunbury YMCA and at Nottingham Village near Northumberland.
-
Hynoski's super rookie season
The (Southern Columbia) Tigers also are set to unleash freshman Henry Hynoski, who is already listed at 6 feet and 200 pounds, and is being talked about as the same type of impact player in the program as Jerry Marks and Ricco Rosini were.
- More Editorials Headlines
-
Too much of a good thing?
