NOTES $569 BILLION IN TAX HIKES AND OVER $500 BILLION IN DEVASTATING MEDICARE CUTS
 

Washington, Mar 21, 2010 -

“The unemployment rate in Florida is at a 35-year high and Congress is passing a bill with new taxes and government mandates, and one that will increase government spending and government borrowing that will hamper job creation,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Sixth).  “In addition, while establishing 30 new taxes totaling $569 billion it includes over $500 billion in cuts to Medicare that will devastate the Medicare program.” 

Stearns today voted against House adoption of the Senate version of healthcare legislation. “The American people need sensible healthcare reform, not more government taxes, mandates, and earmarks for members of Congress, ” added Stearns.  “The bill will undeniably and ultimately lead to the rationing of healthcare in America.”

Continued Stearns, “I support providing protection for those with pre-existing conditions and stopping insurance companies from dropping coverage for those who are sick.  However, we also should allow Americans to purchase health plans across state lines, institute meaningful tort reform, and allow realtors, church groups, and other organizations to join together in purchasing healthcare coverage.  None of these provisions are in the bill.”

The House this evening approved H.R.3590, the Senate version of healthcare legislation.  The measure mandates insurance coverage for all Americans and includes penalties for those who do not get insurance.  It also will require the IRS to hire 16,500 additional workers to enforce all the new taxes and penalties in the plan.

Explained Stearns, “In addition, the plan fails to protect TRICARE or military health plans from a Washington bureaucrat deciding that service members and their families would have to buy some other health coverage or pay a penalty.  This bill does not prohibit taxpayer-funded abortions on demand, and the President’s proposed executive order would not carry the force of law.”

Please go to http://www.youtube.com/RepCliffStearns to see videos of Stearns discussing the healthcare bill and what it means for servicemembers and their families.