Saturday, November 07, 2009

'Massive, Risky Restructuring'   [Kathryn Jean Lopez]

Jeff Fortenberry (R., Neb.) a few minutes ago:

Mister Speaker, our health care system must be strengthened.   No one disputes the diagnosis.  We need to improve health care outcomes for all Americans, and reduce costs—especially for families and small businesses—while protecting vulnerable persons. 

This bill is a massive, risky restructuring of our health care system.  Why could there not be agreement on reasonable reforms such as portability of insurance, buying insurance across state lines, and creating new insurance association models for farmers and families providing affordable options, just like corporations have?  

I agree, we should promote a health care culture that focuses on wellness and prevention, remove lifetime caps, and expand high risk pools for those with pre-existing conditions.  However, I fear this 2000 page bill at 1.3 trillion dollars, will fail to reduce costs, simply shift the costs to more government run health care, and reduce health care liberties.

Mister Speaker, what is at issue now is winning and power, not effective, reasonable reforms. We have missed an opportunity.  I cannot support this bill.

11/07 04:22 PMShare