Statement from Gary Miller on Health Care bill

Statement from Rep. Gary Miller on Health Care bill.


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Capitol Connection Special Edition

Washington, Mar 22 -

Dear Constituent:

Last night, the House of Representatives passed a government takeover of America’s health care system. I am writing today to explain why I opposed this legislation. This bill will place Americans’ health care decisions into the hands of government bureaucrats and imposes a host of new taxes and Medicare cuts.

Recognizing the extremely difficult procedural and political hurdles facing the health care bill should normal process be followed, the Congressional Democrat Leadership elected to utilize a rarely used parliamentary procedure known as reconciliation. Under the reconciliation process, a separate bill containing amendments to the Senate health care legislation would only need the votes of 51-members of the 100-member U.S. Senate in order to proceed. Traditionally, 60 Senators would need to vote for a measure to move through procedural hurdles. The reconciliation procedure is supposed to be limited to provisions that directly affect taxes and spending and to control the size of government. As you know, this bill will have the opposite affect by increasing taxes and the role of the federal government, which is why I strongly objected to the abuse of this process.

Despite modifications made, the fact remains that the final health care package adopted last evening creates 159 new boards, bureaucracies, and programs – including a new entitlement program – that will impact the quality of health care for every American. The cost of these new programs is expected to exceed $2.6 trillion once the bill’s provisions are fully implemented. To pay for this huge government expansion, the legislation raises $569.2 billion in new taxes over the next ten years. The package also makes $528.5 billion in cuts to Medicare, slashing Medicare Advantage by $202 billion, leaving seniors with reduced benefits and fewer choices. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office has determined that almost 5 million seniors will be denied access to an affordable Medicare Advantage plan because of the legislation. Furthermore, it should be noted that the bill contains unrelated provisions eliminating private lenders in the student loan market. Under the bill, all student loans will be originated by the Federal Direct Loan program, thereby establishing a one-size-fits-all government takeover that eliminates competition and consumer choice, and could result in the loss of 30,000 jobs nationwide.

Families and small-businesses deserve access to affordable, high-quality health coverage. While no one doubts that our current system is in need of improvement, any reforms must ensure that the federal government does not interfere in the doctor-patient relationship, raise the deficit, increase taxes, or cut Medicare benefits. It is unfortunate that common-sense reforms such as allowing Americans to purchase insurance across state lines, medical liability reform, and expanding high-risk pools and reinsurance programs to allow those with pre-existing conditions to access affordable health care were not incorporated into the legislation passed by the House.

Health care reform legislation must strike the right balance that builds on what works and fixes what is broken. Unfortunately, this deeply flawed bill will not only limit patient choice but will increase premiums by 10 to 13 percent. As your Representative, I will continue to demand that Congress halt this government intrusion between you and your doctor and end its excessive mandates on our nation’s job creators.

Sincerely,

GARY G. MILLER
Member of Congress
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