Plattsburgh Rep. Owens also a Yes on Democratic healthcare bill

A few minutes ago, Rep. Bill Owens (D-Plattsburgh) announced that he will vote in favor of the health care bill being pushed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Barack Obama.

In an interview with NCPR, Owens argued that the bill will cut health care costs over time, offer insurance coverage to more North Country families, and ease the financial burden that now falls on local hospitals who treat uninsured patients.

I asked the freshman Democrat — who was elected in a special election last November — whether he expected this vote to be a major issue in this year’s election.

He argued that many voters who take time to look at the bill will find that it’s a reasonable, centrist approach.

Owens joined Rep. Scott Murphy (D-Glens Falls), another North Country Democrat who was on the fence until this weekend.

Both Democrats face likely opponents who are affiliated with the conservative “tea party” movement.

Their members have argued that this bill represents an unwarranted intrusion by the Federal government into healthcare.

A report issued last week by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office found that the bill would reduce the Federal deficit by more than $130 billion over the next decade, while offering private health insurance coverage to more than 32 million Americans.

NCPR will have a full report on the health care debate Monday morning.