Lawmakers’ Support For Health Reform Not Necessarily Based On Constituent Needs, Study Finds

The Los Angeles Times reports on a new study that finds a paradox: some lawmakers, whose constituents stand to benefit most from health reform, are the ones opposing the bill while some whose consitutents will likely pay more are the biggest supporters. "The study by the Urban Institute identified 20 congressional districts where more than 30% of residents have no health coverage. Eighteen of those districts are in California, Texas or Florida. In California, the districts with the highest concentrations of uninsured were in Los Angeles and Orange counties, areas heavily populated by immigrants and other low-income groups."

Most of these areas are represented by Democrats who support health care reforms, but in parts of Florida where nearly one-third of residents are uninsured, Republicans who represent them oppose Democratic bills. Meanwhile, others are supporting reform despite their constituents' opposition to reform, like Rep. Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania (Geiger, 10/11).