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Jenkins: Kansans Need Affordable Health Care, Not a Government Takeover of Health Care

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins issued the following statement after President Obama’s press conference regarding current efforts to reform our nation’s health care system.

“Tonight we heard President Obama say that we must pass sweeping reform to our nation’s health care system now. While I agree that we need to improve the availability of affordable health care for all Americans, I do not agree that we need to do it immediately and I do not agree the current proposals are acceptable. Our nation is facing record deficits and double-digit unemployment, and our priority should be on ending this recession and getting Americans back to work.

“I am very concerned with the current proposal in the House because I don’t agree that a government takeover of health care is the right direction. Kansans need resources to empower them to purchase the health care that best fits their needs, and the Democrat’s plan will levy job-killing taxes on small businesses that independent analysts say could result in as many as 114 million Americans losing their current coverage and $239 billion being added to the debt our kids will have to pay back.

“Rather than forcing the House to vote next week on a bill that will increase healthcare costs, add to our debt, kill jobs and drive folks off their current health coverage, Speaker Pelosi needs to work with Democrats and Republicans, as well as President Obama on a solution that will improve our nation’s health care system without putting additional, unnecessary hardships on middle-class families and small businesses.”

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