Health Care Reform

Floor Speech

Health Care Reform

Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, House Republicans and some Democrats have been highlighting the problems with the proposed Democrat health care bill.

The Rosenberg-Richmond Chamber of Commerce in Fort Bend County, Texas, represents over 800 businesses that have deep concerns with this massive intrusion of government-run health care. Last week they passed a resolution strongly opposing the current health care proposals.

Highlights of the resolution include: ``a government plan would be an unfair competitor, with the government acting as both a team owner and the referee.''

Another quote: ``New taxes and fees for businesses and/or individuals that cannot afford health insurance would be dramatically counterproductive.''

And one final one: ``Taxation of health benefits will lead to a reduction in benefits offered by employers and will lead to higher taxes for many individuals and businesses.''

Local chambers of commerce and small businesses understand better than most the problems with government-run health care. The Rosenberg-Richmond Chamber of Commerce gets it. I wish my colleagues on the other side of the aisle did.

I include in the Record a copy of the resolution.

Resolution in Opposition of Proposed Health Care Reform

Whereas, The United States has the world's best health care system, but it is being priced out of reach for more and more American citizens and companies. Companies struggle to find health care plans that provide adequate coverage and are still affordable, and worry about what will come next year; and

Whereas, the Rosenberg-Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce, under various names, has been working for and with local businesses to create a positive economic environment in Fort Bend County, Texas for over eighty years and is currently the voice of 800 businesses; and

Whereas, the Rosenberg-Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes that most health care coverage is provided by employers; to make it easier for employers and their employees to afford the health care coverage they need, we SUPPORT legislative action to:

Retain viable employer-sponsored health care. Employers provide voluntary health insurance to over 177 million. ERISA allows many of them the flexibility to provide uniform benefits and is the backbone of employer-provided coverage and must be preserved.

Reform the delivery system including payment and reimbursement reform to reduce costs while increasing quality and outcomes including: implementation of comprehensive strategies to boost health information technology, wellness, prevention, disease management and care coordination.

Create a more vibrant private health insurance market for individuals and small businesses.

Control soaring health care costs due to the explosive growth in medical liability awards and insurance costs through specialized health courts.

Encourage more Americans to purchase health insurance by enacting refundable tax credits for that purpose.

Encourage more Americans to save for medical expenses tax-free by expanding Health Savings Accounts and allowing those with Flexible Spending Accounts to roll over unused balances to pay for future medical expenses.

Whereas, the Rosenberg-Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce OPPOSES legislative action that will:

Create a Government-run (public) plan: A government-run plan would be an unfair competitor, with the government acting as both a team owner and the referee. Government programs shift costs to the private sector. The Lewin Group estimates 130 million people would move from private sector to public insurance. This could lead to a government-controlled single-payer system.

Create Employer Mandates: Punishing employers who cannot afford to provide health insurance coverage, including requirements to pay or play, is not the answer. Employer mandates, by their nature limit flexibility and innovation--the cornerstones of American health care.

Create Minimum Required Coverage Level: Proposing a huge Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP)--like minimum coverage package will bankrupt employers and workers. High-end coverage like this will not appeal to the young. The minimum level of coverage should be reflective of a high-deductible health plan with coverage of preventative services.

Impose additional tax burdens individuals or businesses: The implementation of new taxes and fees for businesses and/or individuals that cannot afford health insurance would be dramatically counterproductive. Further, the taxation of health benefits will lead to a reduction in benefits offered by employers and will lead to higher taxes for many individuals and businesses: Now therefore be it Resolved, that the Board of Directors of the Rosenberg-Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce OPPOSES the passage of legislation that is currently proposed by the President of the United States and Congress which will create a public insurance plan and employer mandates and major tax increases including imposing an additional "surtax'' on high income earners.

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