Bean, Foster will vote 'Yes' on health care bill

As Democratic leaders count votes today in advance of a landmark vote on health care reform, U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean of Barrington and U.S. Rep. Bill Foster of Batavia are now a "Yes."

Bean and Foster have been on the fence in the health care debate for months, facing protests from activists on both sides of the issue.

Both have said they could support a public insurance option as part of reform, but they have withheld their commitment until a final measure was written in the House.

Bean spokesman Jonathan Lipman said late this morning that the three-term congresswoman would support the measure. Her 8th District stretches from northwest Cook County into eastern Lake County and northwestern McHenry County.

Foster spokeswoman Shannon O'Brien said the freshman lawmaker is "as of now, planning on voting for it." She cautioned the support, because elements of the package could theoretically change before the actual vote, which could come as early as tonight.

Foster's 14th District covers Kane County parts of far western DuPage Couny around West Chicago.

Meanwhile, all Republican lawmakers from the suburbs - and all Republicans in the House - are expected to vote against the measure, a cornerstone of Obama's domestic policy agenda.

Democrats, which have a wide majority in the House, will have to come up with 218 votes to pass the reform package without any Republican votes. That has sparked a blitz of arm-twisting and cajoling by Democratic leaders, including President Barack Obama. Bean and Foster are among those Democrats who align themselves with moderate party coalitions and they have been among the most unsure in their party about supporting the major expansion in government health care intervention and coverage.

Meanwhile, Democrat Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Evanston was a 'yes' vote as of Friday night. "We have every intention to vote for it," said spokesman Trevor Kincaid.

Beyond the public insurance option, the legislation would create a marketplace overseen by federal rules that eliminate pre-existing condition clauses and other barriers to purchasing coverage. The cost is $1.2 trillion, though Democrats say tax hikes in the measure will keep the program expansions from adding to the deficit.

A modified measure will likely return to the House for a vote later this year or in early 2010 if the Senate passes its own version and a conference committee merges the two proposals.

Supporters view the legislation as the best way to help insure tens of millions of Americans who now can't afford it while holding a line on skyrocketing premiums for those who can.

Opponents, including the Republican party, say the measure is a dangerous expansion of government that will ultimately ration care and contribute to a soaring national deficit.

House Republicans from the suburbs set to vote against the plan include Peter Roskam of Wheaton, Judy Biggert of Hinsdale, Don Manzullo of the Rockford area, and Mark Kirk of Highland Park, who is running for Senate.

"This massive overhaul would dramatically increase spending, slash Medicare, and would drive families into a government-run system that few believe will truly lower costs or improve the quality of care," Biggert said.