U.S. CONGRESSMAN JOHN C. FLEMING, M.D.

Contact: Doug Sachtleben (202) 225-2777

Washington, D.C., Nov 15 - U.S. Representative John Fleming, M.D. (LA-4) released the following statement after the state of Louisiana officially declined to set up a state-run Obamacare insurance exchange:

“We are already seeing businesses, large and small, take serious steps to deal with the increased costs and regulations that will hit them with the full implementation of Obamacare. President Obama’s massive new entitlement will have a devastating impact on our economy, and its implementation will drive up our national debt. While the president’s re-election may make it harder to stop Obamacare, it should not silence those who see the disastrous effects it will have on businesses and on the doctor-patient relationship, along with the unnecessary expansion of the federal government that it will create. This is not a time to simply stop our opposition to this bad law.

“I am proud that Governor Bobby Jindal and Louisiana’s Health and Hospitals Secretary Bruce Greenstein have made it clear that the state of Louisiana will continue to oppose Obamacare and will not set up a government-run exchange. While Louisiana joins a growing list of states that will not participate with this monstrosity, it is clear that the Obama Administration will not make this an easy path. I hope House Republicans will do all we can to support states that are willing to take a stand against Obamacare.”

 Dr. John Fleming is a physician and small business owner and represents the 4th Congressional District of Louisiana. He is Chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee.