Pelosi's Health Care Reform is Bitter Medicine

This week Speaker Pelosi and her liberal allies in Congress began the final push for their massive government takeover of our health care system. And in so doing, they made it abundantly clear that they either aren't listening to the American people, or they simply don't care what we have to say.

In numerous town hall meetings held over the past three months, my constituents let me know in no uncertain terms that they are strongly opposed to the government takeover of our health care system and that they are appalled at the explosive growth in the size and scope of the federal government. And as anyone who has been paying attention can attest, I was not alone. In Congressional districts throughout the country, members were confronted with furious citizens who are deeply, and appropriately, concerned about the dangerous direction in which President Obama and Speaker Pelosi are taking our nation.

Despite the clear message from the American people, the health care legislation being advanced by Congressional liberals will raise taxes, increase costs, restrict coverage and create massive unfunded mandates for every state in the country. It will hurt small businesses, senior citizens and anyone who is happy with the coverage they currently have. And it will impose massive and confusing bureaucracy into an already bureaucratic system by adding 111 additional offices, bureaus, commissions and programs above and beyond the entitlement expansions.

The plan is expensive - $1.3 trillion. To pay for it, small businesses and other employers will have $729.5 billion in new taxes imposed on them. Medicare Advantage will be slashed by $150 billion. Individuals who do not purchase government approved health insurance will have a 2.5 percent tax imposed on them. And for some who continue to have "private" health insurance policies, they will be taxed as well.

Efforts to prevent abortions from being paid for by this new government health care program were blocked by the liberals, as were efforts to insure that only legal U.S. citizens can enroll in the program. And, adding insult to injury, the Democrat majority blocked Republican efforts to require Members of Congress to participate in the public plan if one is passed. Apparently they believe government run health care is good for everyone - except those in the government.

Earlier this week I asked our state legislative leaders to estimate the impacts of the unfunded mandates on the state of Oklahoma. According to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, the costs associated with the expanded Medicaid alone will cost Oklahoma $128 million a year. At a time when every state in the country is facing severe budget shortfalls, they are in no position to assume responsibility for the profligate spending of Congress.

I am proud of the fact that the entire Oklahoma delegation is strongly opposed to this disastrous expansion of federal involvement in health care. And I am also proud of the fact that the Congressional Republicans have offered an alternative proposal to provide common sense health care reform. Our legislation will drive down health care costs, increase medical choices and allow Americans to keep their insurance and doctors if they are happy with them. We've incorporated cost-cutting provisions like allowing families and businesses to buy health insurance across state lines and permitting individuals, small businesses and trade associations to pool together to buy coverage for less. Tort reform - the process of cutting back frivolous lawsuits that contribute to higher health care costs - is also addressed in the Republican alternative. None of these common sense approaches are included in Pelosi's legislation. Instead, her approach is bigger government, higher taxes and fewer choices. It is a bitter medicine, indeed.

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