Congressman Miller's Statement On House Passage Of The Affordable Health Care For America Act

Statement

"Last night, the House of Representatives passed by a vote of 220 to 215 the wrong prescription to improve our nation's health care system, the so-called Affordable Health Care for America Act.

"The Affordable Health Care for America Act is a $1 trillion Washington takeover of our nation's health care system, one defined by federal regulation, mandates, taxes, myriad new programs and bureaucracies, and higher federal spending. The 1,990 page bill creates a government-run health plan that experts say would result in up to 114 million Americans losing their current coverage. In doing so, the legislation creates, expands, or extends 43 entitlement programs and creates 118 new additional offices, bureaus, commissions, programs, and bureaucracies. To help pay for this massive government expansion, the bill raises $729.5 billion in new taxes. Specifically, the bill slaps a 5.4 percent surtax on small businesses and high income individuals; a 2.5 percent tax on every individual who cannot afford health coverage or who does not want it; and a tax of up to 8 percent on employers who cannot afford to provide coverage that meet federal bureaucrats' standards. The legislation also makes $500 billion in cuts to Medicare, specifically slashing Medicare Advantage by $170 billion which will affect many seniors, and places a 2.5 percent tax on medical devices. Among its most egregious provisions, the Affordable Health Care for America Act contains a series of loopholes that could provide taxpayer-subsidized coverage to illegal aliens. All in all, this legislation will ensure the heavy hand of federal bureaucrats over the United States health care system and will ultimately lead to higher costs, lower quality of care, and greater difficulty receiving the care you need.

"I did vote for an alternative to this immense government takeover of America's health care system, but it was defeated. This alternative plan would have lowered health care premiums for families and small businesses by up to 10 percent and would have increased access to affordable, high-quality care by allowing Americans to shop for insurance across state lines and allowing small businesses to band together to lower costs. Among its innovative and cost-saving provisions, the bill would have incorporated anti-fraud measures, enacted medical liability reform, and expanded high-risk pools and reinsurance programs to guarantee access to affordable care for those with pre-existing conditions. What is more, this alternative plan would have been accomplished without adding to the monstrous debt Washington has placed on our children and grandchildren. In fact, it would have lowered the deficit by $68 billion over ten years.

"Over the years the cost of health care has skyrocketed, saddling countless Americans with steep medical bills and causing health care coverage to become unattainable for millions of others. While no one doubts that our nation's health care system is in need of reform, we must strike the right balance that builds on what works and fixes what is broken. However, rather than reform parts of our nation's health care system that contribute to the rising cost of health care, yesterday Democrats voted to force the government to take over health care choices for all Americans.

"I fought hard against this plan and took every opportunity to show the deadly consequences of this bill. To this end, I will continue to demand that Congress stop the government intrusion between you and your doctor, end its raid on your income, and bring to a halt its excessive mandates on our nation's job creators. It is time the Administration and Congress get back on track and listen to the voice and concerns of the American people."

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