Smith Votes Against Government Takeover Of Health Care
Press Release
Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) this evening voted against H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, citing his concerns the legislation will open the door for a federal government takeover of health care which would raise health insurance premiums, cost 5.5 millions jobs, add $729.5 billion in new taxes on small businesses, cost 114 million Americans their health coverage, and create more than 100 new federal bureaucracies.
The legislation passed along party lines 220 to 215, with 39 Democrats opposing the bill.
"Thousands and thousands of Americans have expressed their opposition to this misguided bill this week - on top of the tens of thousands who attended town hall meetings held throughout the country earlier this summer. I'm disappointed the House Majority chose to ignore these calls for true health care reform which is fiscally responsible.
"It is regrettable Democrats did not work with Republicans to craft legislation which makes health care more affordable and accessible at a price our nation can actually afford. Instead Congress today passed legislation which costs $1.5 trillion, puts bureaucrats between patients and their doctors, and creates 118 new layers of federal bureaucracy," Smith said.
Smith voted for a Republican alternative which would reduce health care premiums by up to 10 percent and lower federal budget deficits by $68 billion over the next ten years, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
"The contrast couldn't be clearer. The legislation I supported would lower health care costs without launching more spending, higher taxes, and increased federal mandates. It includes fiscally responsible reforms designed to let individuals and families purchase health insurance across state lines, reduces junk lawsuits, gives states the tools they need to create their own reforms, and allows individuals and small businesses to pool together to acquire health insurance at lower prices," Smith said.
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