For Leverage, Dems Threaten Voting With GOP Right

Aiming to leverage limited numbers to win hearings on their priorities, House Democrats suggested Tuesday their most-liberal members could vote with the most-conservative Republicans against creating a health insurance exchange.

Many of the 57 GOP House members, especially arch conservatives, are considering voting against Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter’s plan to use $20.3 million in federal funding to establish an exchange.

That’s the online marketplace meant to help uninsured individuals and small businesses without the expertise or buying power of large employers to compare and buy coverage.

But Otter needs at least 36 votes in the House to win, so Minority Leader John Rusche, D-Lewiston, says his 13-member caucus could play a decisive role.

He told reporters Tuesday that in the House, that 36th vote could be hard to come by.