The U.S. House Education and Labor Committee today began consideration of legislation offered by congressional Democrats to allow a government takeover of our nation’s health care system, with members of the committee offering opening statements just 24 hours after the 1,018 page bill was unveiled. The committee is scheduled to begin debating and voting on amendments tomorrow in order to meet the Democratic leadership’s arbitrary deadline of forcing a vote by the full U.S. House of Representatives before the end of the month.
“The votes we’ll cast this week will be among the most critical choices any of us ever make," said Rep. John Kline (R-MN), the committee’s top Republican. “Health care accounts for one-sixth of our nation’s economy. It affects jobs and family incomes. It represents one of the most trusted and sacred relationships in our society - the bond between patient and doctor. And Mr. Chairman, it is no exaggeration when I say that health care is a matter of life and death." Earlier this year, Republicans unveiled a plan to make health care more affordable, reduce the number of uninsured Americans, and increase quality at a price our country can afford. The GOP proposal aims to:
* Make quality health care coverage affordable and accessible for every American, regardless of pre-existing health conditions.
* Protect Americans from being forced into a new government-run health care plan that would eliminate the health care coverage that more than 100 million Americans currently receive through their job.
* Let Americans who like their health care coverage keep it, and give all Americans the freedom to choose the health plan that best meets their needs.
* Ensure that medical decisions are made by patients and their doctors, not government bureaucrats.
* Improve Americans’ lives through effective prevention, wellness, and disease management programs, while developing new treatments and cures for life-threatening diseases.
Education and Labor Committee Republicans are preparing to offer a broad range of amendments tomorrow that will highlight some of the most troubling provisions of the legislation. These will include amendments to: ensure Americans who like their current coverage can keep it; prevent bureaucrats from coming between patients and their doctors; protect the economy and jobs; and promote commonsense solutions that will reduce costs and improve access to quality coverage.
