Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement after House Democrats passed yet another attempted “stimulus bill” that increases deficit spending by $58 billion over ten years. A second vote was held during consideration of the deficit extender package on a temporary “fix” to the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula that determines reimbursement rates for physicians who treat Medicare patients.

“It is astonishing what passes for responsible spending among House Democrats,” said Congressman Price. “We watched all week as the Democrat Leadership tried to convince its own members that $134 billion was not too much to add to the deficit. Now they want to tell Americans that $58 billion in new deficit spending is perfectly acceptable. Failed stimulus spending and debt will prevent job creation, and new taxes on energy and investment will also stifle economic growth. With the national debt at $13 trillion, Americans can no longer afford a government that spends without care. Including money taxpayers owe to bailed out institutions like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, our gross debt is now approaching 90 percent of GDP. History shows we have reached a point in which the sheer magnitude of debt causes economic growth to decline.

“When it comes to the treatment of our physicians and the patients they serve, Democrats continue to show an appalling inability to govern effectively. It is abhorrent that we are once again peering over the edge at massive cuts in physician reimbursements which continue to erode access to health care services for our nation’s seniors and veterans. Rather than another short-term, short-sighted, debt-ridden, flawed plug, which will only guarantee we run-up against another more expensive and difficult deadline soon, we should stop kicking the can down the road and make tough decisions today.

“For the sake of our future, Washington must change course immediately. We need a balanced budget that focuses on Americans’ priorities and cuts away the excess. Getting back on the right path will require positive, proactive leadership, and Republicans are ready to lead the way.”