AUSTIN -- The percentage of uninsured Texans is greater than the percentage of uninsured Americans, according to the latest numbers contained in an official state report. But even in one of the most uninsured states in the country, this health care bill is a tough sell.
At Auditorium Shores, a place where personal health matters, there's a lot of discomfort over just what health care changes might come before Congress.
"I feel like they're making all these adjustments to accommodate people, rather than sticking to their guns," said Maureen Panerio as she walked her dog along Lady Bird Lake.
The longer Congress wrangled and recoiled over the bill, the less people liked it.
"It's insane that it's become attack-oriented. I think it's bad politics, and it looks bad on us, on our culture,” said Dara Paprock.
Only 43 percent of Americans polled over the weekend favor the plan that's before Congress.
Democratic congressional leaders are now considering a controversial tactic called Deem-and-Pass. Meaning they might adopt a health care bill without an immediate vote.
So where do Central Texas congressmen come down on the health care reform bill currently pending before Congress? And what do they think about the idea of avoiding a traditional vote?
In a statement, Austin Democrat Lloyd Doggett said he “wouldn't want the Senate bill to become law without some major changes.” He also believes there's “nothing sneaky” about this vote, saying both houses of Congress would ultimately have to approve any legislation.
Austin Republican Michael McCaul's office said the congressman hasn't seen anything in the current bill that makes him want to vote yes, calling deem-and-pass a trampling of the rules.
Williamson County Republican John Carter still plans to vote no; a spokesman called the alternate vote ridiculous legislative gymnastics.
Calls to the Washington office of Republican Lamar Smith were met with busy signals for much of the day. An employee at his Austin office says staffers on Capitol Hill have been swamped with calls regarding the legislation.
The Texas Department of Insurance estimates that the cost of health insurance has more than doubled for single Texans and Texas families since 1997.
