Bob Casey urges those opposed to GOP health care bills to pressure his colleagues

Morning Call (Allentown, PA)

June 25--Linda Glaum came to Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey's town hall Saturday hoping for some encouragement.

The 68-year-old Democrat from West Chester said she's felt "bludgeoned" by the news and developments out of Washington, D.C., since the last presidential election. What she was looking for as Casey took questions at Franklin & Marshall College was "some kind of good news," she said.

Several of the queries directed at Casey reflected that sentiment during the nearly 90-minute event, held in a Democratic city in the heart of a reliably Republican county. Some criticized the Trump administration, and many raised concerns about the Senate GOP health care bill released Thursday and poised for a potential vote in the coming days.

The questions prompted the Democratic legislator to repeatedly encourage those in the audience who share his view on the health care bill -- which Casey called "inequitable" and "destructive" -- to ratchet up pressure on senators who may be swing votes.

"If they vote no, I don't care how they got there," Casey quipped after referencing a pair of senators who view the bill as too conservative and another who views it as not going far enough. "All three votes could be right-wing senators. That's OK. We just want them to get to a place called 'no.'"

At times, he sought to be motivational and reassuring, telling those frustrated with policy debates on Capitol Hill to keep up their efforts. Casey told one questioner concerned by the health care legislation not to be "despondent."

"I do think it's starting to dawn on people across the country how bad this bill is," Casey added.

The Senate GOP health care bill, like the version the House passed last month, would undo a portion of the Affordable Care Act. It would significantly change how Medicaid is funded and how insurance subsidies are structured, as well as end the statute's insurance mandates and most of the taxes that paid for the law.

Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey was among a group of Republican senators who worked on the bill, and said he's likely to vote for it.

One man told the senator that he's become more politically aware since the November election but after writing letters and calling public officials, he feels powerless.

Casey said those who have gotten involved in politics amid the recent wave of activism -- which has sparked rallies on the National Mall and weekly protests outside Toomey's offices -- provide a check on officials and a force that could sway future elections.

"That's going to be of enormous, substantial significance during the next election, I have no doubt about that," said Casey, who will be up for re-election next year.

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