Rep. Peter Welch: Democrats Need To "Take a Stand and Defend Health Care"
Next week, House Republicans will get their first opportunity to pass repeal of health care reform. And even though the GOP is in the majority, House Democrats aren't throwing in the towel just yet.
On Friday's "Washington Unplugged," Congressman Peter Welch (D-Vt.) told CBS News political analyst John Dickerson, "We've got to take a stand and defend the health care provisions that will make a big difference to the American people."
Welch, Vermont's lone House member, is leading the effort to file amendments which would exempt certain provisions from repeal -- including coverage of individuals up to age 26 on their parents' health care plans, denying coverage to those with preexisting conditions, free preventative care for seniors and the elimination of lifetime limits on care.
Welch did acknowledge that Republicans did a better job selling their side of health care reform.
"Give them credit. They beat us pretty good in the campaign," he said. "They ran against health care, they said they were going to repeal it and now they're doing it. But we've got to point out what's in it because they're decided to do this wholesale repeal that includes things that are wildly popular."
Dickerson asked Welch how Democrats plan on salvaging health care in the House when the majority, and many Americans, are against it. Welch responded, "My view is we have to make them the own the consequences of what they're doing."
Welch is committed to going on offense.
"The Republicans have the power, they have the might but that doesn't mean [Democrats] should just roll over," he said.
Watch Friday's "Washington Unplugged" above, also featuring a political roundtable with CBS Evening News Senior Producer Ward Sloane and Senior Political Producer Rob Hendin.
