From the same source just now: Democrats Say The Bill “Dramatically” Cuts Medicare, Will “Increase The Deficit,” Has “Explosive Costs,” “Skyrocketing Premiums,” And “Raising Taxes”
CUTS MEDICARE
REP. LARRY KISSELL (D-NC): "I Made A Promise And Commitment That I Would Look Out For Medicare, And I'm Doing That…The Method Of Funding Makes It Impossible For Me To Change My Vote On That Bill." (“Kissell Faces Pressure On Health Care,” Charlotte Observer, 03/03/10)
REP. JASON ALTMIRE (D-PA): "Particularly Hard Hit Would Be Western Pennsylvania’s Medicare Beneficiaries, Which Many Experts Believe Would Experience Dramatic Premium Increases With Enactment Of This Bill.” (Rep. Jason Altmire, Statement, 3/19/10)
INCREASES THE DEFICIT
REP. FRANK KRATOVIL (D-MD): “The bill’s overall price tag of $1.07 trillion is above the target set by democratic leadership earlier in the debate, even after cutting the $208 billion “doctor fix” out from previous versions of reform legislation. When this additional cost is added to this bill, the congressional budget office has stated that the package would increase deficit by $59 billion in the next 10 years.” (“Kratovil: “No On Health Care,” Baltimore Sun, 03/21/10)
REP. CHET EDWARDS (D-TX): “At a time of massive federal deficits, I believe these bills could make those deficits worse.” (Rep. Chet Edwards, Statement, 3/10)
REP. TRAVIS CHILDERS (D-MS): “I have reviewed the bill and I remain deeply concerned about the legislation’s large price tag and the absence of sufficiently strong language to prohibit federal funding of abortion. (Rep. Travis Childers, Statement, 3/18/10)
REP. ARTUR DAVIS (D-AL): “[A] comprehensive, 2000 page, near one trillion dollar overhaul of the healthcare system is just too cumbersome and too costly in a time of trillion dollar deficits.” (Rep. Artur Davis, Statement, 3/11/10)
EXPLOSIVE COSTS
REP. MICHAEL ARCURI (D-NY): “The health care package expected to be voted on in the coming days doesn't do enough to keep health care costs in check.” (Rep. Michael Arcuri, Statement, 3/18/10)
REP. JOHN BARROW (D-GA): “It puts too much of the burden of paying for it on working folks who are already being overcharged, and that’s not fair.”(Rep. John Barrow, Statement, 3/10)
REP. JOHN ADLER (D- NJ): “The final health care reform bill does not do enough to make health care affordable for middle-class families, small businesses, seniors and taxpayers.” (Rep. John Adler, Statement, 3/19/10)
REP. BOBBY BRIGHT (D-AL): “I simply believe we cannot afford the massive cost associated with these proposals, especially while our fragile economy continues to recover.” (Rep. Bobby Bright, Statement, 3/02/10)
REP. JIM MARSHALL (D-GA): “People are very concerned about cost; I’m concerned about cost. If you just do more of the same, which is largely what this does, more third party pay, that’s basically what the problem is here, then you’re going to get continued explosive costs.” (“Blue Dog Democrat says Obama health-care plan will bankrupt country,” The Daily Caller, 03/05/10)
REP. WALT MINNICK (D-ID): "I appreciate the thoughts of thousands of Idahoans on both sides of this issue. Although I plan to vote against the bill tomorrow due to serious concerns about costs, I sincerely hope that we can soon come together as a nation on the other important issues of the day." (“Idaho representatives ready for health care reform vote,” Idaho News Channel 7, 03/20/10)
REP. JOHN TANNER (D-TN): “I am unconvinced that the long-term trend of rising health care costs is adequately addressed and am therefore unable to support the legislation.” (Rep. John Tanner, Statement, 3/21/10)
REP. GLENN NYE (D-VA): “I am not convinced it will effectively reduce the cost of health care for families and small businesses.” (First-term Democrat Nye voting against health care bill,” Virginian Pilot, 03/21/10)
SKYROCKETING PREMIUMS
REP. MIKE McINTYRE (D-NC): “Health care reform is needed, but the bill before us is too expensive, does not adequately address rising medical costs and skyrocketing insurance premiums, and tries to do too much too soon. (Press Release, 03/19/10)
REP. JIM MATHESON (D-UT): “I am saddened that the year-long debate on health reform has resulted in legislation that is too expensive, contains too many special deals, does not contain health care costs and will result in increases in health insurance premiums and therefore I will vote against the legislation.” (Press Release, 03/20/10)
RAISES TAXES
REP. DAN BOREN (D-OK): “[T]here is no chance I am voting for this bill because it raises taxes on businesses, creates job-killing mandates, grows the size of government, and cuts services to seniors.” (Rep. Dan Boren, Statement, 2/24/10)
REP. ZACK SPACE (D-OH): "They are opening the door to taxing employee benefits as income, which is going to create, I don’t care how you slice it, a hardship for middle class families that they can’t afford to endure right now." (“Rep. Zack Space to vote against health care bill,” Cleveland Plain Dealer, 03/20/10)
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