GOP still on warpath against health bill
It has been a week since the House passed the sweeping health care bill, but Republicans remain on the warpath against it.
Representative Mark Kirk of Illinois, an Afghanistan war vet, rails against the legislation in the weekly GOP radio-Internet address today.
He says the bill -- approved with only one Republican "aye" -- would increase taxes, would worsen the record federal deficits, would put government in control of health care, and would threaten Medicare.
"In the teeth of the Great Recession, the Pelosi bill would impose ten new taxes on the American economy. The top combined tax rate for my state of Illinois would be four percentage points higher than France," he says. "The Democrat bill levies new taxes on health insurance, income and even pace makers. The bill also cuts health care for seniors – my parents and many of yours – with $500 billion in cuts for Medicare doctors, hospitals and advantage patients. The bill even cuts Medicare for skilled nursing, wheelchairs and hospices.
“In sum, the bill opens a new trillion-dollar entitlement just as our national debt tops $12 trillion. Ignoring the future needs of Social Security and Medicare, the bill creates a new massive spending program, supported by heavy taxes and cuts to senior health care," Kirk adds.
The House Democratic bill does not trim Medicare, itself. But more than 10 million seniors enrolled in an enhanced, private version known as Medicare Advantage -- including 175,000 in Massachusetts -- could see their plans shrink or be replaced with traditional coverage under the health care overhaul plans proposed by Democrats in Congress.
Kirk also outlines the Republican alternative, with a heavy weight on curbing medical malpractice lawsuits, allowing people to take their coverage across state lines, and encouraging states to experiment. That plan, however, would come nowhere close to extending coverage to the millions of Americans without health insurance.
His full address is below, and can be viewed here.
KIRK'S ADDRESS
“Good morning, this is Congressman Mark Kirk of Illinois.
“When I returned home from active duty in Afghanistan, I dedicated my congressional service to helping families with health care. We can lower health care costs and provide coverage for Americans who lack insurance by enacting key reforms that already help thousands of families in many states.
“First, we could start lowering costs by reining in lawsuits in America. We are the most litigious country on earth. Lawsuit reforms can save billions in health care costs alone. In New Jersey, without lawsuit reform, it costs over $5,500 per patient to provide insurance. In California, with some of the strongest lawsuit reforms, insurance costs half as much as it does in New Jersey. Congress should enhance the effective reforms of many states by enacting lawsuit reforms for our entire country.
“Second, Congress should grant the right to each American to buy coverage from any state in the union – especially if you find a plan that has a lower cost or is more flexible for your family or your small business.
“Third, we should give states the tools to create their own innovative reforms that lower health care costs.
“I also offered an amendment – the Medical Rights Act – standing for the principle that Congress shall make no law interfering with the decisions you make with your doctor.
“Unfortunately, all of these common sense Republican reforms were rejected by Speaker Pelosi. The Pelosi health care bill has no significant lawsuit reforms and does not guarantee your medical rights from government waiting lines or restrictions.
“In the teeth of the Great Recession, the Pelosi bill would impose ten new taxes on the American economy. The top combined tax rate for my state of Illinois would be four percentage points higher than France. The Democrat bill levies new taxes on health insurance, income and even pace makers. The bill also cuts health care for seniors – my parents and many of yours – with $500 billion in cuts for Medicare doctors, hospitals and advantage patients. The bill even cuts Medicare for skilled nursing, wheelchairs and hospices.
“In sum, the bill opens a new trillion-dollar entitlement just as our national debt tops $12 trillion. Ignoring the future needs of Social Security and Medicare, the bill creates a new massive spending program, supported by heavy taxes and cuts to senior health care.
“We need to back the common sense health care reforms I outlined and reject a government takeover of our family health care.
“This is Congressman Mark Kirk of Illinois. Thank you for listening. God Bless You and God Bless America.”
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