Last night (Saturday) I joined a bipartisan front voting against H.R. 3962 the Democrats $1.3 trillion takeover of the American healthcare system. The bill passed the U.S. House by two votes a slim 220-215 margin with only one Republican voting in favor and 39 Democrats opposing. It is not representative of our nation as a whole and I believe this legislation will have a more difficult road in the Senate.
I co-sponsored and voted for the Republican alternative plan which I believe is the common-sense approach to ensuring healthcare is more affordable and accessible to every American. The following is my floor speech from last night:
In the 72 hours we were allowed Republicans weeded through thousands of pages of bureaucratic provisions mandates programs and spending. Despite its monstrous size this health care takeover has come down to a few clear evident points: it raises taxes raises premiums increases health care costs and dumps trillions of dollars of debt on our children and grandchildren. Small businesses and families will bear the weight of this bill for generations.
We all agree that health care reform is urgently needed but this bill destroys the American health care system as opposed to improving it. Instead of incentivizing the private market to offer more affordable health care coverage options it punishes small businesses and their employees. It threatens jail time for individuals who do not purchase insurance and could soon lead to the rationing of care depriving Americans of life-saving treatments that are not deemed cost-effective." Even doctors the most experienced in this health care debate oppose this proposal and have shared concerns of the many clinics and hospitals that will be forced to reduce or deny services.
The over 2000 page spending plan imposes nearly $800 billion in new taxes on individuals families and small businesses. It places mandates on both individuals and employers which according to the Presidents Economic Advisor will result in the loss of up to 5.5 million jobs. These mandates will also discourage the hiring of low-wage and minority workers. In the face of both a recession and a 10.2 unemployment rate Speaker Pelosis unprecedented tax-and-spend approach will come at the expense of American citizens.
Moreover while the majority of Americans are happy with their health care coverage an estimated 114 million Americans will lose their insurance under Speaker Pelosis plan and be dumped into the government-run option. The plan also cuts more than $170 billion from Medicare Advantage plans jeopardizing millions of seniors existing coverage. The bill puts the government in the middle of Americans personal health care decisions as opposed to reform based on improving the quality and affordability of health care.
While Democrats have continually touted the benefits of a public option they themselves voted against an amendment to require enrollment for Members of Congress. This speaks volumes to the true quality of a government plan as what I view as adequate coverage for the American public would also be adequate for my family. Furthermore the bill also abolishes the private health insurance market forcing all individuals to purchase coverage through a government-controlled Exchange and eliminating choices from the health care system. While this bill takes care of Members of Congress it eliminates the freedom of choice for the American public.
Republicans have introduced numerous bills to provide improvements in the cost and delivery of health care but we have been denied a seat at the table. Behind closed doors the Democrats crafted a monstrosity of a bill to take over one sixth of the economy and then limited floor debate to four or five hours on one of the most sweeping pieces of legislation we have ever seen.
The Republican alternative provides a common-sense approach to the main problems in our health care system. It would lower premiums decrease health care costs reign in federal spending and allow for more options choice and innovation in the health care system.
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that average premiums under the Republican alternative would be almost $5000 less than under the Democratic plan in 2016. It would provide incentive grants for states to further lower premiums and allow businesses to innovate ways to promote health and wellness and curb health care spending. The alternative would also expand high risk pools prohibit insurance companies from denying individuals with pre-existing conditions and ensure inter-state purchasing of health insurance. These reforms would drive down the costs of health care to make it more affordable for Americans while also protecting the choice and numerous options that citizens need.
I have spoken to many health care professionals in my District as well as held town halls with my constituents and both have expressed not only their opposition but their fear of this government takeover of health care. We are not listening to Americans and we are missing the opportunity to use insight from the experts in the field to enact meaningful reform. This bill is not what Americans have asked for."
Last night (Saturday) I joined a bipartisan front voting against H.R. 3962 the Democrats $1.3 trillion takeover of the American healthcare system. The bill passed the U.S. House by two votes a slim 220-215 margin with only one Republican voting in favor and 39 Democrats opposing. It is not representative of our nation as a whole and I believe this legislation will have a more difficult road in the Senate.
I co-sponsored and voted for the Republican alternative plan which I believe is the common-sense approach to ensuring healthcare is more affordable and accessible to every American. The following is my floor speech from last night:
In the 72 hours we were allowed Republicans weeded through thousands of pages of bureaucratic provisions mandates programs and spending. Despite its monstrous size this health care takeover has come down to a few clear evident points: it raises taxes raises premiums increases health care costs and dumps trillions of dollars of debt on our children and grandchildren. Small businesses and families will bear the weight of this bill for generations.
We all agree that health care reform is urgently needed but this bill destroys the American health care system as opposed to improving it. Instead of incentivizing the private market to offer more affordable health care coverage options it punishes small businesses and their employees. It threatens jail time for individuals who do not purchase insurance and could soon lead to the rationing of care depriving Americans of life-saving treatments that are not deemed cost-effective." Even doctors the most experienced in this health care debate oppose this proposal and have shared concerns of the many clinics and hospitals that will be forced to reduce or deny services.
The over 2000 page spending plan imposes nearly $800 billion in new taxes on individuals families and small businesses. It places mandates on both individuals and employers which according to the Presidents Economic Advisor will result in the loss of up to 5.5 million jobs. These mandates will also discourage the hiring of low-wage and minority workers. In the face of both a recession and a 10.2 unemployment rate Speaker Pelosis unprecedented tax-and-spend approach will come at the expense of American citizens.
Moreover while the majority of Americans are happy with their health care coverage an estimated 114 million Americans will lose their insurance under Speaker Pelosis plan and be dumped into the government-run option. The plan also cuts more than $170 billion from Medicare Advantage plans jeopardizing millions of seniors existing coverage. The bill puts the government in the middle of Americans personal health care decisions as opposed to reform based on improving the quality and affordability of health care.
While Democrats have continually touted the benefits of a public option they themselves voted against an amendment to require enrollment for Members of Congress. This speaks volumes to the true quality of a government plan as what I view as adequate coverage for the American public would also be adequate for my family. Furthermore the bill also abolishes the private health insurance market forcing all individuals to purchase coverage through a government-controlled Exchange and eliminating choices from the health care system. While this bill takes care of Members of Congress it eliminates the freedom of choice for the American public.
Republicans have introduced numerous bills to provide improvements in the cost and delivery of health care but we have been denied a seat at the table. Behind closed doors the Democrats crafted a monstrosity of a bill to take over one sixth of the economy and then limited floor debate to four or five hours on one of the most sweeping pieces of legislation we have ever seen.
The Republican alternative provides a common-sense approach to the main problems in our health care system. It would lower premiums decrease health care costs reign in federal spending and allow for more options choice and innovation in the health care system.
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that average premiums under the Republican alternative would be almost $5000 less than under the Democratic plan in 2016. It would provide incentive grants for states to further lower premiums and allow businesses to innovate ways to promote health and wellness and curb health care spending. The alternative would also expand high risk pools prohibit insurance companies from denying individuals with pre-existing conditions and ensure inter-state purchasing of health insurance. These reforms would drive down the costs of health care to make it more affordable for Americans while also protecting the choice and numerous options that citizens need.
I have spoken to many health care professionals in my District as well as held town halls with my constituents and both have expressed not only their opposition but their fear of this government takeover of health care. We are not listening to Americans and we are missing the opportunity to use insight from the experts in the field to enact meaningful reform. This bill is not what Americans have asked for."
