Votes for alternative reform proposal

November 7, 2009

Congressman Patrick McHenry (NC-10) released the following statement regarding his votes against H.R. 3962 and in favor of a substitute amendment to the legislation.

“My constituents and the American people have sent a resounding message to Washington: reform healthcare, don’t take it over.  Unfortunately, the leadership of House Democrats either was not listening or simply did not care.

“There are many common-sense healthcare reforms that are strongly supported by the American people and healthcare professionals.  Unfortunately, this legislation fails to reform lawsuit abuse, insurance companies are not forced to compete across state lines, and small businesses are prevented from pooling their resources to purchase affordable coverage for their employees.  The Republican healthcare plan does all of these things.  According to the Democrat-led Congressional Budget Office, the Republican plan reduces premiums, reduces the deficit, and expands the number of insured Americans.  That’s the bill I voted for.

“It is easy to understand why so many centrist Democrats voted against this radical plan.  Hundreds of millions of Americans will be forced out of their current healthcare plan, Medicare cuts will mean fewer benefits for seniors, bureaucrats will have the authority to restrict healthcare services, taxpayers will fund benefits for illegal immigrants, federal and state taxes will increase, and the cost of healthcare premiums will rise.  The remedy is worse than the disease.

“Furthermore, it’s as though the Democrats are unaware that this country is suffering from double digit unemployment.  According to President Obama’s chief economic advisor, the small business tax increases in their bill will kill an additional 5.5 million jobs.

“I maintain that we can insure the uninsured, which the Democrats’ bill actually fails to do, without degrading the quality and increasing the cost of healthcare for everyone else.”

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