John Boehner 8TH DISCTRICT OF OHIO

Sep 3, 2010

Washington- Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) today released the following weekly column discussing the need to repeal ObamaCare and replace it with better solutions to lower the cost of health care and protect American jobs:

"Throughout the debate over health care, an overwhelming majority of Americans spoke loudly and clearly: they did not want a government takeover of health care that would hurt our economy.  Five months later, they remain opposed to the new law, worried about the consequences it is having for job creation, the national debt, and the cost and quality of their health care.

"Recently I received a letter from Marcia in Huber Heights.  Marcia is concerned about the impact that the president’s massive health care overhaul is having on small businesses.  She wants ObamaCare repealed, but she also wants to know more about Republican ideas.  Her view is shared by thousands of other constituents who I’ve had the opportunity to speak with over the past year in the District, over the telephone, and online through e-mail and Facebook.

"Like Marcia, I am very concerned that the president’s government takeover of health care is already wreaking havoc on employers and entrepreneurs at a time we can least afford it.  This is a law that – upon its enactment – triggered the creation of more than 160 boards, bureaucracies, programs, and commissions.  By the end of July, Washington had already racked up nearly 3,833 pages of regulations to direct the law’s implementation.

"One of ObamaCare’s most controversial mandates requires small businesses to report any total purchases that run more than $600.  For example, if a landscaper wants to buy a new lawnmower, or a restaurant needs a new ice-maker, they have to report that to the IRS.  If you’re a Mom-and-Pop grocery store, and you buy $1000 worth of merchandise from 15 different vendors, that’s 15 different forms you have to file. 

"Not surprisingly a number of Eighth District employers, including Cohen Brothers – a scrap metal processing company in Middletown – have expressed concern that this costly reporting mandate will bury them in a mountain of paper work and hurt their ability to retain employees.  Even the IRS’ own watchdog recently warned about the costs this mandate will impose on employers. 

"If you spend time talking to a small business owner, they will tell you that each dollar spent on taxes or complying with government regulations is one less dollar they can spend investing in their company and hiring new employees.  That’s why House Republicans are committed to eliminating ObamaCare’s jobs-killing ‘1099 mandate.’  But we won’t stop there.  Through our innovative agenda project we’ve been discussing the need to repeal ObamaCare lock, stock and barrel, and replace it with common-sense reforms focused on lowering costs and protecting American jobs.

"At AmericaSpeakingOut.com, you’ll find Rep. John Kline’s (R-MN) idea to allow small businesses to pool together to shop for health care insurance.  Rep. Kline’s idea would also free up small business operators to shop across state lines for health care, allowing them to play by the same rules that big corporations and labor unions do.  You can also read Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) plan to cut down on the number of junk lawsuits that are forcing doctors to practice defensive medicine.  Of course, at AmericaSpeakingOut.com you can also vote on these proposals and even submit your own ideas to expand access to affordable high-quality care.

"While you are at your computer, feel free to check out the alternative health care plan we offered last year at GOPSolutions.gov.   Our bill would have guaranteed that all Americans -- regardless of pre-existing conditions and past illnesses -- have access to the care they need, and lowered the cost of health care by up to 10 percent according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.

"Americans asking ‘where are the jobs?’ deserved better than ObamaCare.  I will continue to listen to my constituents and lead the fight in Washington to repeal it and replace it with better solutions to lower the cost of health care and help small businesses put Americans back to work.

"Boehner represents Ohio’s 8th District, which includes all of Darke, Miami, and Preble counties, most of Butler and Mercer counties, and the northeastern corner of Montgomery County.  He was first elected to Congress in 1990."