By Manuel Quinones, CNC
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-891975.mp3
Dallas –
MANUEL: Texas is known for having the largest percentage of uninsured residents. About a quarter of Texans lack coverage. That's why Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson isn't sure why Edwards opposed the effort.
EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON: "I don't know what his reason might be. He does have enough people without insurance. I don't question anybody's credibility."
MANUEL: Edwards didn't immediately respond to requests to talk about his vote. The Democrat represents a district south of Dallas that leans Republicans. John McCain won there back in 2008. And Edwards himself is under constant GOP attacks. Texas Republicans say he did the right thing. Congressman Jeb Hensarling says the Democrats' legislation is too expensive and gives government too much power.
JEB HENSARLING: "We can't afford it at a time when our nation is already going bankrupt. But even more profound than these reasons, this is really a debate about who is going to make health care decisions for our families."
MANUEL: The Congressional Budget Office says the legislation will help cover many of the uninsured in Texas while helping reduce the deficit. But Republican Pete Sessions doesn't buy the numbers. And he says the Democrats' attempt is not the best way to help people without coverage.
PETE SESSIONS: "You do it through market based policies and not through just saying, we're going to go and give everybody coverage." MANUEL: Sessions and Hensarling blasted the legislation's new taxes and want Texas to be able to buy insurance across state lines. They see the Democrats' legislation as limiting choice. Democrats like Johnson say it's just the opposite.
JOHNSON: "This is a step in the right direction to give the people of this country to choose their health insurance, the right to be sick without it being cancelled."
MANUEL: In fact, the legislation includes a ban on insurance companies dropping people for getting sick.
With Capitol News Connection, I'm Manuel Quinones, for KERA.