A spatial analysis of voting on health care issues: United States House of Representatives, 96th Congress, First Session

Abstract

This study examines the spatial patterns of Congressional voting on health issues. Thirteen roll call votes on health care issues occuring during the 1st Session of the 96th Congress are factor analyzed. This analysis shows that health care questions cluster around two major issues: health care regulation and health care spending. The factor scores for each Representative are mapped, and a regression model is developed relating health care voting to characteristics of the Representative, the Congressional district, and the hospitals in that district. The most important findings were: (1) support for both health care spending and regulation is strongest in the Northeast and upper Midwest. (2) Although Representatives from most of the Southern states are opposed to health care regulation, they generally favor health care spending. (3) Representatives from a few of the Southern states, however, do not fit this generalization. (4) Although Representatives from the Pacific Coast states are the strongest proponents of regulation, they are opposed to spending. (5) Opposition to health care spending is particularly strong among Representatives from suburban districts.