SALEM, Ore. (AP) — For the second time, help from a Democrat has allowed Republicans to put the brakes on one of Gov. John Kitzhaber’s health initiatives.
This time, GOP lawmakers in the House targeted a bill creating a health insurance marketplace for individuals and small businesses. The bill has widespread support, and some Democrats accuse Republicans of holding it back as a bargaining chip to trade for some of their own priorities.
Republicans say they support the bill but want to double check its budget impact.
Democratic Rep. Mike Schaufler (SHAWF’-ler) joined all 30 House Republicans in voting Monday to send the measure to a budget committee.
In the Senate, one Democratic senator has joined all 14 Republicans to hold up another bill enacting Kitzhaber’s plan to redesign the health care delivery system.
