Dems Juggle Rich, Poor Interests in Health Debate
Holding together these disparate constituency groups is no small task, as is clear from the Democrats' struggle to balance their competing objectives for health care reform.
The liberal wing of the party is emphasizing reforms like the expansion of Medicaid -- the federal program that insures low-income Americans -- which should come as no surprise, given that Democrats represent nine of the 10 districts with the lowest levels of health coverage, according to the analysis from USA Today.
Moderate Democrats, however, are fighting back against tax increases on the rich to pay for those reforms. Some of those Democrats represent the nation's wealthiest districts. The House Democratic caucus represents 57 percent of households with incomes of $200,000 or more, USA Today reports. By contrast, Republicans reportedly represented 55 percent of those households in 2005.
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The Democratic agenda has evolved as the party has grown to include more wealthy Americans. Representatives like Jared Polis of Colorado and Jason Altmire of Pennsylvania have both, as members of the New Democrat Coalition, urged House leadership to avoid new taxes to pay for health reform, the Hill reports. The New Democrats describe themselves as "moderate, pro-growth members of Congress."
The health care debate puts the business-minded side of the party at odds with Democrats' traditional allies like labor unions, which are endorsing taxes on the wealthy and a mandate for employers to contribute to health care costs as ways to pay for reform.
It is unclear whether the trend of wealthy Americans skewing to the Democratic party will continue or not, USA Today concludes. Its wider tent, however, may not help the party in the near-term. Liberal advocacy groups have skewered conservative Democrats for their moderate positions on health care. And while Americans still disapprove of Republicans more, according to a recent CBS News poll a solid majority of Americans also disapprove of Democrats' handling of health care.