467,000 jobs lost last month. 6.5 million jobs lost since the recession began. If ever there were a time to stand up for small businesses, it would be now. So what have congressional Democrats done for small businesses this week? Inexplicably, they’ve launched an assault on them in order to pay for their government takeover of our health care system. “House Democrats on Tuesday unveiled sweeping h... Read more »
Today, this Committee will begin consideration of legislation that would completely overhaul the current health care system in this country. I know that many of my constituents are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of their health care premiums, while others are simply unable to afford health care coverage. Many people in my state have lost their jobs and fear that they won't be able to a... Read more »
Let me begin by saying that I do not believe that maintaining the status quo in our health care system is an option. We need to reform our health care system to greatly increase access, accountability, choice, and savings to consumers. The House Republican Health Care Solutions group has been working on these goals and stands ready to offer an alternative that will accomplish all of these goals wi... Read more »
I came to Congress at the beginning of this year to try to make our country better and to address many of the challenges that Kentucky families are facing. Our current health care system is a challenge to many families in my district and across America – whether it is paying for visits to the doctor or gaining access to care. I agree that our system is in need of reform, but I am sad to say that t... Read more »
Let me begin by saying that health care reform is a bipartisan cause. It would be hard to find any individual on either side of the aisle that would say the status quo of our health care system is acceptable or desirable. We all share an urgency and commitment to reforming our health care system. Where we differ is in how we as a nation should go about enacting reforms that will make health care a... Read more »
Over the next two days, our committee will be marking up the “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act.” As we consider health care reform, let me begin by stating that most of us readily agree that reining in health care costs and expanding access to the health care system for all Americans must be top considerations when discussing any proposed reforms. However, we must also abide by the physicia... Read more »
I left the practice of medicine – I left caring for patients after over twenty years – for precisely this moment in public policy. I cared for literally thousands of patients as an orthopaedic surgeon, each and every one of them a privilege. The actions being taken here and in two other House Committees are part of an attempt to fundamentally alter our health care financing and delivery structure.... Read more »
Thank you Chairman Miller. I appreciate the opportunity to speak, but I want to be clear that I wish we were here today under different circumstances. Approximately 24 hours ago, we first laid our hands on this 1,018 page monstrosity that has the potential to upend our entire health care system. I’ve done my best, as have other Members on this side of the aisle, to examine the bill and understand ... Read more »
For months, supporters of the Employee Free Choice Act have been pushing for its passage in Congress. They have held rallies. They have run ad campaigns. They even enlisted cast members from “The West Wing” to help them out. The result from all this work? Let’s go to the scoreboard, courtesy of Rasmussen Reports: “[A] new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of adults do not ... Read more »
Rep. John Kline (R-MN), the top Republican on the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee, today called on congressional Democrats to pull back from their arbitrary deadlines for voting on an overhaul of our nation’s health care system and give Members of Congress adequate time to fully assess the consequences of newly introduced legislation on jobs, small businesses, and the quality of health ca... Read more »
