WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins released the following statement after voting against H.R. 3962, Speaker Pelosi’s health care bill. The legislation passed with a vote of 220-215. 

“Americans top concern right now is turning the economy around and getting folks back to work. Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi’s health care bill will do just the opposite. With a $1.3 trillion price tag and nearly $730 billion in new taxes, Speaker Pelosi’s bill is a job-killer that will damage our economy. According to an economic model by President Obama’s own economic advisors, this legislation would eliminate 5.5 million American jobs. That is the opposite direction Congress should be taking our nation.

“While I share the goal of reducing the number of uninsured in our nation, this bill imposes unfunded mandates on states to pay for an expansion of Medicaid. The State of Kansas is facing a $460 million budget gap, and I cannot support a plan that will put a further strain on our state’s economic situation.

“Kansans deserve better than Speaker Pelosi’s government takeover of health care. That is why I supported an alternative that would bring down health care premiums by as much as 10 percent, reduce the deficit, and give folks more control over their health care without raising taxes or cutting Medicare. I will continue fighting for commonsense solutions to bring down health care costs without destroying what works for millions of Americans and without causing any further harm to our nation’s fragile economy.”