Rep. John Kline (R-MN), the top Republican on the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement today as Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats prepare to rush through a $1.3 trillion government takeover of the health care system. Hastily crafted behind closed doors, the Democrats’ plan completely ignores a signature promise made by President Barack Obama: if you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan.
“The Pelosi government takeover of health care is not the commonsense, bipartisan reform the American people need and deserve. This big government approach fails to abide by an important standard set by President Obama at the beginning of this debate - his pledge that Americans can keep the health care they like. It is clear that the proposal will disrupt coverage for millions of families who have health insurance and seniors who rely on Medicare. It is equally clear that Americans cannot afford the uncertainty and increased costs that come with such a massive disruption to our health care system.
“It is particularly troubling that Speaker Pelosi’s plan would squeeze billions of dollars out of the Medicare Advantage program - stripping coverage from the 10 million senior citizens who currently enjoy flexibility and choice in their health care options. Moreover, the Democrats’ plan encourages lawsuit abuse by opening employers and their insurers up to new state court lawsuits and liability. But, whether it be the $500 billion in Medicare cuts, a taxpayer-funded government plan, tax hikes on small businesses, or the prohibition of private insurance plans that do not meet Washington’s standards, there is no doubt millions of Americans are set to lose the coverage they have come to rely on for their health care needs."
NOTE: Independent studies have predicted that tens of millions of Americans could lose their current coverage as a result of proposals offered by Speaker Pelosi and congressional Democrats. Among these is a report released earlier this year by the non-partisan Lewin Group that estimates up to 114 million Americans could lose their existing coverage in the wake of the new government-run plan that sits at the center of Speaker Pelosi’s government takeover of health care. Additionally, the decision to overlook the President’s health care promises and move forward in a partisan manner has not won the confidence of the American people. A new CNN poll reports the number of Americans who disapprove of President Obama’s handling of health care at a new high of 57 percent - a four point jump from August.