Congressman Dave Reichert

Health Care: Doctor with stethoscope

Washington, D.C., Jul 14, 2009 -

Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) released the following statement today after House Democrats unveiled a $1.1 trillion health care overhaul proposal that would implement a government-run “public plan,” which threatens to raise costs, reduce choices, and allow government bureaucrats to interfere in the patient-doctor relationship:
 
“Increasing spending, raising taxes, assessing penalty fees, and reducing the choice and quality of care is no way to transform health care in America,” said Reichert. “This is the wrong time to be putting additional burdens on individuals and small businesses, as well as adding to our national deficit that hit $1,000,000,000,000 yesterday. Health care is not about ‘systems’ and ‘flows’ and complicated regulations in government jargon. Health care is about people. Quality health care is the foundation for our children to grow and prosper, just as it is the basis for seniors to enjoy comfortable retirements. 
 
“I am committed to protecting and strengthening health care – protecting Americans from increased health care costs, losing the health plans they currently have, and the government interfering in their medical decisions; and strengthening health care by ensuring that better quality, more affordable care is available for all Americans.”
 
The bill will first be considered by the House Ways & Means Committee, of which Reichert is a member, in a mark-up beginning at 9:00am EST on Thursday.

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