WASHINGTON, July 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. representative leading conservative Democrats' challenge to healthcare reform was feted at several health industry gatherings, records indicate.
Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., is the point man for the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats who object to portions of the sweeping overhaul of the nation's healthcare system moving through the House. The group's objections resulted in compromise legislation that includes higher payments for rural providers and softens a public insurance option.
But publicly available invitations indicate Ross was the guest of honor for at least seven fundraisers held by healthcare companies or their lobbyists this year, The Washington Post reported Friday.
The 52 Blue Dog members outpaced other congressional political action committees in fundraising so far this year, collecting more than $1.1 million through June, the Post said. More than half the money came from the healthcare, insurance and financial services industries, a Center for Public Integrity analysis indicated.
Liberal Democrats and healthcare reform advocates have expressed anger about the compromise bill and said they think the Blue Dogs are a little too cozy with health-related constituencies.
"The Blue Dogs are carrying water for the industry instead of their constituents," said Richard Kirsch, national campaign manager for Health Care for America Now, a pro-reform group. "In effect, the Blue Dogs and the Republicans are taking positions that are closer all the time and further away from what most Americans want."
"I know there were some that thought we were trying to stop healthcare reform," Ross told the Post. "We simply wanted to slow the process down and ensure that we were working toward the kind of healthcare reform that the American people need and want."
