Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester), who has run a small business, issued the following statement after Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced a new set of job-killing health care mandates that would force a majority of the nation's employers -- including as many as four out of every five small businesses -- off their current coverage despite President Obama's promise to the contrary:
"ObamaCare's new tagline should be "if you like your health care plan, too bad.' These job-killing mandates will bring every small business's worst nightmare -- losing their health care coverage -- closer to reality. President Obama repeatedly pledged that no one would be forced off their current coverage under his plan, but now it turns out that the overwhelming majority of small businesses will suffer this fate -- and the higher costs that come with it. The sad reality is that few small businesses will be eligible for the new law's "tax credits' while most will be forced to change their plans as the government sees fit.
"President Obama continues to offer small businesses words of encouragement -- like he did just three days ago in the Rose Garden -- only to turn his back on them. Today's announcement is further evidence that this government takeover of health care will do exactly the opposite of what it was supposed to do, much to the detriment of small business owners. We need to repeal this job-killing health care law before it wreaks more havoc on our small businesses and our economy."
PRESIDENT OBAMA'S BROKEN PROMISES ON "IF YOU LIKE IT, YOU CAN KEEP IT':
June 15, 2009: "If you like your health care plan, you will be able to keep your health care plan. Period. No one will take it away. No matter what." (Remarks to the American Medical Association)
July 28, 2009: "But keep in mind -- I mean, this is something that I can't emphasize enough if you are happy with the health care that you've got, then keep it. Nobody is going to go out there and say, you've got to change your health care plan." (AARP Tele-Town Hall Meeting)
August 15, 2009: "I just want to be completely clear about this; I keep on saying this but somehow folks aren't listening Nobody is going to force you to leave your health care plan. If you like your doctor, you keep seeing your doctor. I don't want government bureaucrats meddling in your health care." (Town Hall Meeting, Grand Junction, CO)