The President is repackaging the same bad policies."
WASHINGTON D.C. In response to President Obamas remarks to a Joint Session of Congress this evening U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) released the following statement:
For a month weve been hearing from constituents about their concerns with the Democrats health care proposals including the government-run option. But instead of new ideas and a willingness to work in a true bipartisan manner to bring costs down and preserve patients rights to choose their doctors the President is repackaging the same bad policies.
The Administration is still promoting the government takeover of our nations health care. We are still facing massive misguided legislation that will raise the federal deficit and lead to rationing of health care in America. The Administrations proposal will still increase the size of our government and shrink patients choices.
It will still drive up taxpayers costs and deteriorate our nations quality of care. The legislation will devastate our health care system. And we have Democratic leaders in both chambers of Congress indicating that they will move forward with the legislation with or without Republican support.
The American people deserve better and there are better ideas on the table. There are alternatives and thats where I will direct my energy as this debate intensifies.
I am working with my colleague Senator Jim DeMint and other Republicans on a better alternative. Our approach will help cover more Americans through tax credits competition and transparency among insurance providers. It will allow patients to keep the doctors they know and trust. And it will emphasize the two most important factors in any health care reform: reducing costs and raising access.
It will crack down on medical lawsuit abuse and implement reasonable caps on damages for medical malpractice.
And our reforms will be enacted without a massive government takeover of one-third of our economy as the Administration and the Democratic Leadership have proposed."
