— By Charles Owens

for the register-herald

With a decision looming Sunday, U.S. Reps. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., and Rick Boucher, D-Va., said they both are still undecided on the $940 billion health care overhaul bill.

“I’m still trying to work through the abortion language,” Rahall said Thursday. “I definitely am for health care reform and health insurance reform, and certainly I’ve said that during all of my town hall meetings. The status quo is not acceptable.”

However, Rahall said he opposes the use of federal funds to pay for abortions. He calls the current Senate language on abortion “unacceptable.”

Both Rahall and Boucher were still working Thursday to review the language of the health reform bill. Both also admit their phones have been ringing nonstop from individuals — many of whom Rahall and Boucher say are not local and from out-of-state — on the health reform issue.

“It’s been so much that my staff hasn’t been able to do any work for the people because the phone lines have been jammed and staff personnel have been taken up for the most part answering out-of-state calls, and people who have no idea what is in the bill,” Rahall said.

According to Rahall, some of the callers have been “vulgar and obscene in their statements” leading him to conclude “... They can’t be West Virginians because West Virginians don’t act like that.”

Boucher, who voted against the original health care bill in the House, said his final decision will be based on what is in the best interest of southwest Virginia.

“I voted against the bill that was considered in the fall,” Boucher said. “I was very concerned that a number of key measures of that provision would adversely affect health care in my district.

“The text of the bill that will be debated and voted on this weekend was only circulated about two hours ago. It was posted about 2:30 p.m. (Thursday). I have not had an opportunity to read it yet. I do intend to read it and will review it carefully with the interest of southwest Virginia health care recipients and health care deliverers in mind.

“My judgment will be based entirely on what is in the best interest of southwest Virginia. The position of my political party doesn’t matter in that consideration. All that matters is what is best for southwest Virginia.”

Boucher said his phone banks also have been ringing off the hook, adding that half of the callers have been from his district and the other half have been from other parts of the country. Boucher said he is primarily interested in hearing from those individuals who live in his district.

“First, I want to make sure that we do not harm the system of health care delivery in southwest Virginia,” Boucher said. “And I will review the bill with that determination in mind. Secondly, we have to be sure that any measure that passes is fair, and is even-handed both to the people who do have not health insurance, but also the people who do have health insurance. I want to make sure this bill is fair to both the insured and uninsured.”

Both Boucher and Rahall also believe that no Republicans will vote in favor of the health care measure.

Rahall said misleading and “secretly financed” campaigns by certain groups are attempting to divide the citizens of West Virginia.

“We need to come together for the common good, and not allow these special interest groups to polarize us,” Rahall said.

When asked about the absence of a public option in the new health measure, Rahall said the lack of a public option wouldn’t keep him from voting in support of the bill.

“That’s correct,” Rahall said. “As I said during the town hall meetings that while I was for the public option, it wouldn’t be a make-or-break issue for me.”

Rahall said he anticipated a vote by the weekend. He hoped to make a decision by today, and he wanted to see a straight up vote on the measure by lawmakers.

“I hope there is no gimmickry,” Rahall said. ‘I’m opposed to any gimmickry. I want a straight, honest vote so the American people can see how we voted.”

— Charles Owens is a member of the Bluefield Daily Telegraph staff.