The Democrat, Representative Bart Gordon of Tennessee, who is a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog coalition, issued a statement on Thursday saying that Mr. Obama’s proposed changes had improved the legislation and would help bring down health costs.

‘Throughout the debate over the past year, I’ve said any responsible health care bill must do two things: reduce overall health care spending and increase access to affordable care,’ Mr. Gordon said in the statement. ‘I voted against the House bill in November because it expanded coverage but did not do enough to bring down costs. I’m pleased to see the discussion moving in a more fiscally responsible direction now.’   

“I’m especially pleased the president incorporated my ideas on medical malpractice reform in his proposal, as well as Republican ideas on increasing insurance accountability. Together, these measures will help to reduce health care costs and get our deficit under control.”