Washington, D.C.,
Nov 3 -
Statement by Rep. Dave Camp
House Floor
11/3/2009
"Mr. Speaker – I ask unanimous consent to speak for one minute.
The bill that we may be voting on later this week is the wrong prescription for what is ailing this country.
The CBO confirmed the Democrats’ bill spends well over $1 trillion, far more even the President called for.
CBO also noted that the bill would increase the federal “commitment” to health care by $600 billion this decade alone.
Nearly half of the people who get coverage in the bill will get it through in Medicaid. This isn’t health care reform; it is welfare expansions – expansion of a program that is already crushing state budgets.
The Democrats’ bill includes more than $700 billion in tax increases, many of which will be paid by middle class families, including:
• penalties on people who don’t buy insurance
• penalties on employers who can’t afford to cover their workers;
• and new taxes on FSAs, HSAs, insurance premiums, and medical devices.
The bill also includes about $500 billion in Medicare cuts that will reduce seniors’ access to doctors, hospitals, and force millions out of their Medicare Advantage plan.
House Republicans support taking the first steps towards comprehensive reform that is focused on driving down costs for all Americans."
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