Last week Congressman Tim Walz cast a vote in favor of the Affordable Health Care for America Act. He sent out a note to many reminding us that he cast such a vote knowing he represented hundreds of thousands in southern Minnesota.

True to his word since he began running for Congress in 2005, Walz cast a vote to fix a health care system that leaves too many behind with double digit annual increases in cost.

Some on the far right-wing, like Republican Party leader Rep. Michele Bachmann, continue to throw out wild misinformation that appears to be completely divorced from the truth.

While they fear-monger about losing liberty, socialism and fascism — without making much sense — you should know that the legislation passed a week ago Saturday has the support of mainstream organizations like the AARP and the American Medical Association (all our doctors).

Why would such organizations like AARP and the AMA support this legislation if all the things GOP leaders say are true? Exactly, they wouldn’t.

Tony Sutton, the GOP state chairman and forever defender of Rep. Michele Bachmann’s calls for insurrection, even continues to mention the Mayo Clinic in his article and misinformation.

Folks, the Mayo Clinic stood with Congressman Walz this week in support of significant reforms for the Medicare payment structure included in the legislation.

In fact, Congressman Walz and every member of the Minnesota House Delegation (even Kline and Bachmann) noted how incredibly important such reforms of the Medicare payment structure is to states like Minnesota, where high quality, low cost medical care is the norm.

As our country finally confronts many of the daunting challenges that have faced us for decades, but we chose to ignore, the Republican Party leaders in Washington, D.C., refuse to participate in the debate. They are hoping their “Party of No” strategy carries them back to power.

Rather, Democrats in Congress had to look to Republicans outside of the House for ideas for reform. From Minnesota, or somewhere in a presidential primary state, they got the idea from Gov. Tim Pawlenty to allow states to sell insurance across state lines.

They took Pawlenty’s idea and included it in the bill. Now, in the legislation passed, Minnesota can create compacts with any other state to allow us to buy insurance over state lines.

I am proud that Congressman Walz kept his word and voted for a piece of legislation that will bring about significant reforms to ensure we stem the double digit increases in health care for hard working families. Thanks, Tim!

Lori Sellner

chairwoman

1st Congressional District DFL Party

Luverne