Health bill foes see trouble in senate

The two Pennsylvania Democrats who voted against the House health care package this weekend say the legislation is “dead on arrival” in the Senate.

The two Pennsylvania Democrats who voted against the House health care package this weekend say the legislation is “dead on arrival” in the Senate.

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[audio: 091109sdhealth.mp3]

Tim Holden and Jason Altmire were two of 39 House Democrats to vote against the health care overhaul that President Obama has centered his domestic agenda around.

Holden, who represents portions of central Pennsylvania, says party leaders were “foolish” to “ram through” a bill he argues won’t be seriously considered by the Senate.

Holden says that’s partially due to the public health insurance program the legislation would create.

Holden: Oh, I don’t think there’s any way in the world that can pass the United States Senate. I didn’t have all that much of a problem with it, if I would learn – if they would ever tell us how they’re going to administer it, which they haven’t. But it seems to be a non-starter in the Senate, so I did not want to be a pawn in the chess game between Henry Waxman and Harry Reid and Max Baucus.

Altmire, a second-term Democrat from Western Pennsylvania, says he wants health care reform to pass, but he couldn’t support this bill.

He says the final package needs to do more to contain health care costs.

The legislation now heads to the Senate, where Pennsylvania Democrat Bob Casey is predicting a final vote by year’s end.