By Doug La Rocque
Just one day after a scheduled House of Representatives vote to repeal and replace the American Care Act (aka Obamacare) was pulled for a lack of support, 19th District Congressman John Faso was greeted by about 20 people, protesting his support for the legislation.
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The Congressman was there as the honored guest for the grand re-opening of the Lebanon Valley Heritage Center.
Arriving early, the congressman took several minutes to meet with the protesters and try to answer their questions. He told the group “all of your voices are important” and in the coming weeks he hopes Congress can find common ground to move forward. Asked by one member of the group, if he could change anything, what would he change right now, Faso answered “I would let tax credits for healthcare be a state regulated policy, not a federal regulated policy.
Photo by Doug La Rocque
One of the things I fought for in this legislation that failed was enhancing the tax credits so more people who have lower incomes can support this.” The congressman also said he believes his district is very divided on this. “I do think that the opponents of the legislation were very vocal, as is their right. But I do think the people that were asking us for changes, especially small businesses, they may not come out to demonstrate but I am hearing from them all the time as well.” The demonstrators were at times vocal, but at all times peaceful.
Congressman Faso was much in the news as well for an amendment he attached to the healthcare bill, that would have required New York State to pick up the share of Medicaid costs that is now borne by the counties in the state. The amendment drew the ire of Governor Andrew Cuomo, who claimed it would reduce coverage for poor and middle class New Yorkers, and labeled it “rabid conservative zealotry.” The congressman tells The Eastwick Press he views it not as zealotry, but instead “long overdue Medicaid program consolidation.” Asked if he would reintroduce the amendment, Faso said, “I am going to continue to fight for that, I promised that when I ran for Congress. This has been an issue I have been concerned about for many years. New York is virtually alone among the states that requires homeowners to pay for Medicaid. The State’s share of Medicaid should be borne by Albany, not by some homeowner living in house here in Columbia County or anywhere else in New York State.”
Superfund Status For The PFOA Crisis
When it comes to the PFOA situation in the Taconic Valley and in particular Hoosick Falls, “I have requested that it be given Superfund status. I have sent a letter to EPA administrator asking for that. I am also in the process of asking the federal authorities to come up with a national standard on PFOA and I am hopeful we can get some movement by the Feds on this.” [/private]