Rep. John Kline (R-MN), the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee’s Senior Republican Member, today sharply criticized the latest health care overhaul released by congressional Democrats, arguing that millions of Americans could lose their current coverage even as taxpayers face a sea of new red ink. Kline issued the following statement:
“The more we learn about the Democrats’ proposed health care overhaul, the worse it becomes. From employer mandates that could cost workers their jobs to a government takeover that could cost patients their current coverage, Democrats are proposing a radical shift in how Americans receive health care - one that, unfortunately, puts government before people.
“Even as the draft put forward today colors in additional details about massive new spending and complex new mandates, we are left with more questions than answers. With lesser plans costing in excess of a trillion dollars, how much will this plan cost? How will it be paid for? How high will taxes rise? How many millions of Americans will lose their current coverage?
“The American people deserve better. Republicans have put forward a health care reform plan that will make health care more affordable, reduce the number of uninsured Americans, and increase quality at a price our country can afford. Americans who like their current coverage will be able to keep it, and government bureaucrats will never be placed between patients and their doctors. These commonsense solutions have the potential to create bipartisan health care reform - a stark contrast with the Democrats’ partisan, back-room proposal for a health care takeover."
