THE HEALTH CARE VOTE
by Vern Ehlers, U.S. House of Representatives

As early as this Saturday, the U.S. House could vote on reforms to change the way health care is
delivered and insured in America. I expect Democratic leadership in the House to allow a vote not only on Speaker Pelosi’s 1,990 page bill (H.R. 3962), but also a Republican alternative.

Speaker Pelosi’s bill was introduced last week, and I oppose it for several reasons:

• The Pelosi bill would result in large tax increases, which are the absolute last thing Michigan needs. It contains nearly $500 billion dollars in tax increases on taxpayers from certain incomes, the majority of whom are small business owners. It includes $729.5 billion in tax increases overall, as well as $135 billion in new taxes on employers who cannot afford to provide their workers health insurance. This would result in millions of lost jobs.

• It does not allow certain people to keep the health insurance they already have. For example, it contains arbitrary and harmful cuts to popular Medicare Advantage plans that would result in seniors losing their preferred health coverage.

• It allows federal funds to be used to cover abortions. I have always opposed any use of taxpayer funds for abortions.

• The bill costs nearly $1.3 trillion over the next 10 years, and does not contain enough meaningful reforms to help reduce the cost of health care services and medical liability insurance.

I support making health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans. The status quo is unacceptable since many people lack access to affordable care, people are denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions, and the cost of care is skyrocketing. That is why I am supporting a Republican bill that includes meaningful medical liability reform, universal access to affordable health insurance offered by states, and focuses on wellness and prevention. Details are available online at http://healthcare.gop.gov.

Vernon J. Ehlers
Grand Rapids area's Member of U.S. Congress 

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