EMERSON CONTINUES TO SHOW INDEPENDENCE THAT BENEFITS HER CONSTITUENTS

Jo Ann Emerson has taken some heat from right-to-work supporters for a recent vote on an amendment to the Quality Health Care Coalition Act. This isn't the first time the congresswoman from Southeast Missouri has shown her independence from GOP leaders.

The amendment would have protected doctors from mandatory unionization in dealing with major health-care providers like HMOs. The bill itself give doctors the right to band together in such negotiations without incurring antitrust violations.

Emerson voted against the amendment because nothing in the main bill required the doctors to join a union.

And don't overlook a couple of relevant facts: The amendment was quashed because a lot of other Republicans didn't think it was needed. And the Quality Health Care Act passed the House. Now it's up to senators to show their mettle on this important issue.