Cline votes NO on health insurance subsidies for 33,000 constituents

On Thursday 17 Republican members of the House of Representative joined all Democrats to pass a three-year extension health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.

Is anyone surprised that Congressman Cline was not among them?

The bill now goes to the Senate.

Let’s be clear: Cline’s NO vote was a kick in the teeth to more than 33,000 of his Sixth District constituents who depend on ACA subsidies to keep their health insurance premiums from doubling or tripling.

Not all his Republicans colleagues are as out of touch as Cline is with the people they represent.

“Thirty-thousand people in northeastern Pennsylvania obtain their health insurance through the exchange, and that’s always been my North Star,” said Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R), who represents a swing district in the state. “I think Congress has an obligation to address this. You can’t be a flamingo and stick your head in the sand. I think we need to have tough conversations.”