via Real Clear Politics

From The Valley News Dispatch

U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire lauded parts of health care reform he voted against in March during an appearance in Harrison on Tuesday morning.

Altmire spoke during a breakfast with community leaders that kicked off the Alle-Kiski Health Foundation’s weeklong grand opening celebration of its new nonprofit center on Acee Drive.

While saying he would not defend the legislation, Altmire said he favors the provision that prevents the denial or dropping of coverage for those with pre-existing conditions, which took effect Sept. 23, six months after the measure was passed.

He said it is also good that parents can now keep dependent children on their policies up to age 26, which he said would be particularly helpful for college graduates who can’t find jobs with coverage.

A Democrat, Altmire is being challenged for re-election by Republican Keith Rothfus.

Rothfus said their positions on health care reform show the starkest difference between him and Altmire.

“I’m unequivocally committed to repealing ‘ObamaCare.’ What we don’t repeal we have to defund. The congressman said repealing is not an option,” Rothfus said. “We need common-sense reforms that the American people support.

“‘ObamaCare’ is just a top-down one-size-fits-all approach with many mandates that really will result in us going to a single-pay system,” Rothfus said.

Read the entire column here.