The Democrats plan to give the federal government the authority to negotiate for lower Medicare prices has taken another step forward, with the help of moderates like Rep. Jo Ann Emerson.
Last week the House passed the bill 255-170. 24 Republicans voted for it and Rep. Emerson was a co-sponsor.
The bill still faces many obstacles - tough lobbying from pharmaceutical groups, a possible filibuster in the Senate, and a veto from the White House.
The Post-Dispatch has a must-read on Emerson's "moderate ways." Though she's also questioning the President's new Iraq plan, she does vote conservative 88% of the time. Money quote: "My responsibility isn't to be an ideologue ... and that is such a freeing feeling," she said.
The Washington Post also puts Emerson's votes in the spotlight.
But some argue that short-term goals like cheaper prices would hurt long-term goals like better drugs.
So is she a moderate? Or a conservative?
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