Another great summary of the health care bill.  ~M

Thank you for contacting me regarding one of the most important issues facing our nation. I appreciate your views on health care reform, and thank you for your patience during the debate on the bill.

As you may know, on March 21, 2010, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass a trillion dollar government takeover of health care by a vote of 219 - 212. The package was comprised of H.R. 3590, the U.S. Senate-passed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and H.R. 4872, the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act, or "fix it" reconciliation bill. After some provisions of the reconciliation bill were removed by the Senate, the House then passed the amended reconciliation bill on March 25, 2010 by a vote of 220 - 20. The President has signed both bills into law.

The issue of health care affects each and every one of my constituents, so I understand the passion felt on both sides of the issue. I closely considered the healthcare proposals, keeping in mind the voices of my constituents and the principles on which I was elected, and I ultimately voted against it. I am particularly aware of the flaws in our current health care system and recognize that we are in dire need of reform. However, I believe it is possible to fix our health care system while still maintaining the level of quality of care Americans have come to expect. This can be done without excessive government expansion and the accumulation of an even greater economic burden on generations to come. That is why I support an alternative health care bill, H.R. 3400, the Empowering Patients First Act. My major concerns with the healthcare package that the President signed into law are as follows:

o Higher Taxes and Cuts to Medicare: The bill increases taxes by $569.2 billion over ten years, harming small businesses and middle-class families. It directly increases taxes on higher income earners. The bill also includes $528.5 billion in cuts to Medicare, cutting benefits and raising premiums on seniors. These cuts are not used to reduce the deficit, or improve the solvency of the Medicare program, but instead to create new entitlement programs.

o Mandates: The employer mandate imposes a new tax on business, which will destroy current and new jobs during a time when millions of Americans are already unemployed. Employers who do not offer coverage would face a $2,000 fine per employee. Even if an employer offers coverage, it will have to pay up to $3,000 per employee if the coverage is deemed "unaffordable" by the federal government. The bill drastically expands Medicaid, hurting an already stretched state budget. This will cost Georgia more than $1 billion over the next decade.

o Constitutionality: The U.S. Constitution is violated as never before by forcing Americans to purchase "acceptable" health care coverage or face a tax of 2.5% of modified adjusted gross income. The definition provided in the bill for "acceptable" coverage will surely force some Americans to purchase plans that include coverage that they cannot afford, do not want, or do not need.

o Illegal Immigrants: The bill fails to adequately address citizen verification for individuals applying for low-income affordability subsidies, or enrolling in Medicaid/CHIP, or enrolling in high risk pools.

o Funds Abortions: This bill does not prevent taxpayer funded abortions. An executive order by the President cannot change the law, and it can easily be rescinded.

o Lack of Medical Liability Reform: The single provision in the bill allows trial lawyers to be freed from caps on fees, and the provision merely allows malpractice reform "alternatives" for states. It does not address the costly problem of doctors practicing defensive medicine, nor does it help to control expensive, frivolous lawsuits.

o Increases Premiums: The Democrats' health care plan will increase premiums by 10-13%. As studies by the Joint Committee on Taxation, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, and six other organizations have shown, imposing new taxes on insurance policies, health care products, and various new insurance regulations will drive up the cost for patients of all ages in the form of higher premiums.

o Full of Special Deals: The bill includes new backroom deals such as the "Bismark Bank Job" and old favorites such as the "Louisiana Purchase," various provisions still part of the "Cornhusker kickback," carve outs for unions, and many more.

o Constitutes government takeover of the private student loan industry: The bill includes a reconciliation provision to alter federal student loan programs by eliminating the Federal Family Education Loan program and shifting all student loans to a government-run and taxpayer financed system under the Direct Loan program. This student loan bill has no place in a healthcare bill.

o TRICARE: Fortunately, House Democrats recognized the failure of their legislation to protect the health plans that many members of the military, their families, and military retirees depend on. Accordingly, on March 20, 2010, the House passed H.R. 4887, the TRICARE Affirmation Act, by a vote of 403 - 0. The bill would amend the health care package to clarify that the TRICARE program and the Nonappropriated Fund Health Benefits Program of the Department of Defense (DOD) qualify as "minimal essential coverage," so as to avoid fines or having to choose another plan. The Senate, however, has yet to act on the bill.

I appreciate you taking the time to contact me on these historic pieces of legislation. Hearing the views of all Georgians gives me the opportunity to better understand how important issues could impact the people of Georgia and the future interests of the nation. In that regard, your input is most helpful.