-- Randy’s Roundup --

A Weekly Newsletter from Congressman Randy Neugebauer

May 17, 2010

The Law of Unintended Health Care Consequences

When the government takeover of health care was signed into law earlier this year, we all knew it would only be a matter of time before we saw the adverse effects of such misguided, flawed legislation. But until now they have yet to really hit home.

Last week, Dr. Robert Johnson, MD announced that he would be closing his medical practice in Lubbock after 16 years of serving patients in the community. In a letter to his patients, Dr. Johnson addressed this difficult decision:

"It is with a very heavy heart that I write this letter to inform you that I must close my medical practice…This has truly been one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make…A series of events have forced this change for me, but the two most prominent factors were the passage of the coming ‘healthcare reform’ and the slashing of Medicare reimbursement...If the president and congress think that their plans for our heath system will in any way improve the care any of us receive, they are dead wrong."

Like small businesses, many doctors’ medical practices will be threatened by new federal mandates and cuts found in this so-called “reform.” Doctors in the 19th Congressional District and across the nation will be forced to re-evaluate their practices or leave the field of medicine altogether. The uncertainty of new taxes and mandates from this law will discourage employers from creating new jobs or cause them to close up shop completely. Rural communities that are already underserved will continue to lose physicians and medical professionals that provide vital care.

More government involvement will add further inefficiencies and costs to the system that will be paid for by consumers in the form of higher taxes and insurance premiums. Further, the new law reduces Medicare by more than $500 billion for the elderly and disabled who need it most. 

By losing Dr. Johnson, Lubbock is losing a talented physician and a valued member of our community. This is a very real consequence of this law, and one that will continue to affect health care providers. Even though this legislation may be law, I will continue to work for the repeal and replacement of these flawed policies with real reform that provides more affordable solutions to improve health care access and costs. In a Rasmussen poll released today, 56% of Americans think the health care law should be repealed. And along with Dr. Johnson and so many others in the 19th District, I agree. I’m in this fight for the long run on behalf of my children, grandchildren and the American people.

To view the full text of Dr. Johnson’s letter, click here.
To view Dr. Johnson’s interview with KCBD, click here.

YouCut

Washington has a spending problem, and we can no longer afford to delay the tough choices that need to be made. As a member of the House Economic Recovery Solutions Group, I joined in the launch of the YouCut project last week.

YouCut gives people from the 19th District and around the country the opportunity to vote on spending cuts they would like to see the House of Representatives enact.  House Republicans will then offer a motion on the House floor later this week to allow us to bring up the spending cut that receives the most public support for an up or down vote.

Each and every day, families in the 19th District are forced to make tough decisions—cutting back on things they realize they can no longer afford. Why should the federal government act any differently? The support of the YouCut project around the nation and in West Texas has been phenomenal. Since last Wednesday, over 260,000 votes have been cast. To cast your vote for the spending cut of the week, please visit www.republicanwhip.house.gov. Voting will close Tuesday, May 18th for the first list of programs, but a new list of programs to vote on will be posted Wednesday, May 19th. 

Agriculture Committee Field Hearing

Today the House Agriculture Committee met in Lubbock for a field hearing to discuss the upcoming 2012 Farm Bill. Thanks to the Agriculture Committee, Texas Tech University and the producers from Texas who participated in the hearing for making this day an overall success.  As we heard from the producers today, Texas has a diverse and productive agriculture sector, and Texas producers have useful feedback for us when it comes to current and future agriculture policy.  I encourage my colleagues to keep what they heard here today in mind as the Agriculture Committee moves forward in laying the groundwork for responsive farm policy in the future that will allow producers to continue to meet the needs of American consumers and a growing population around the world.

As a reminder, if you would like to submit comments about the 2012 Farm Bill, please visit my website. You may submit comments through June 14.
                 
Question of the Week

According to the House Budget Committee, approximately $273 billion in funds from the $787 billion “stimulus” package remain unused. Should the federal government be required to apply these unused funds to the nation’s growing federal deficit?

Please visit my website to submit your answer to this week’s question.

As always, when events unfold in Washington, I will be sure to update you. In the meantime, do not hesitate to visit my website or call my office toll free district wide at (888) 763-1611 or my Washington, DC office at 202-225-4005.