For Conn., health care is unanimous yes

Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) - With the health care vote scheduled to take place this weekend in Washington, we're getting word that all Connecticut lawmakers will be voting in favor of the bill.

Rep. Joe Courtney (D-2nd District) was undecided until today. But he says that after reading the bill, he has decided to vote yes.

Sen. Chris Dodd (D), who helped craft the health care bill, says if it doesn't pass, the economic consequences would be dire.

"If we don't get those votes on Sunday then we're on a track here for economic disaster," he said.

Dodd says that health insurance premiums could up more than 30-percent in the years ahead without this legislation, and those uninsured will go up at least 10-percent.

Dodd has said today that the $100-million grant designed to help build a new UConn Medical Center will remain in the bill because it is not state specific. In fact, 12-15 other states will qualify for it.

"I understand people's concerns about some carve out for some individual state or district, this is not at all," he said.

Governor Jodi Rell's proposal for the medical center depends on that grant, but she says she opposes the health care bill that contains it, saying the $100 million grant should be passed in Congress as a stand alone proposal.

"Yeah, well good luck," Dodd said laughing.

And as for the predictions by some that this is a make or break vote for President Obama?

"If the Obama crowd thinks that if they just win this, they're home free, they're making a big mistake. For those who think if they lose this they're done forever, they're making a big mistake too," he said.

If the bill passes the House this weekend, it will be coming back to the Senate as soon as Wednesday.