Ind. Rep. Ellsworth to support health care overhaul

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Late Friday afternoon, Democratic Congressman Brad Ellsworth announced that he will vote for the president's health care reform plan this weekend. The conservative southern Indiana representative was previously undecided.

It is a decision that could have a big effect on his political future. Three other Indiana congressmen stand to win or lose much in the health care vote.

Mike Pence (R - 6th District) has been the most visible Indiana congressman in the health care debate both in Indiana and in Washington. The Republican could benefit from the higher profile even if the health care bill passes.

Two Democrats, Baron Hill (9th District) and Brad Ellsworth, could be hurt by their health care votes even as they try to avoid the spotlight.

State Republican Chairman Murray Clark is on Friday's Indiana Week in Review show.

"The problem with these Democrat congressman, you can't do that anymore, voters are paying attention. So I think they're in an untenable position," said Clark.

While Hill is officially undecided and Ellsworth just announced his support for the health care bill, Republicans intended to use it against them in November all along.

"They're already on record voting for it. They've never voted against it in any way whether it was the bill or any procedural measure that would facilitate passage of the bill," said Clark.

It's high stakes politics especially for Ellsworth, who is now a candidate for U.S. Senate.

"I know that they're struggling with trying to make the bill as good as they possibly can and I know that everybody on the Democratic side thinks that we need change in health care," said Democrat Ann DeLaney.

Look for Baron Hill to vote for the bill, too. While he is not publicly committed to it, his office released a series of memos this week addressing what Hill calls misconceptions and myths about the bill.

Both Hill and Ellsworth voted for the bill last year.