HARRISBURG – Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason is outraged that Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senators Bob Casey and Arlen Specter voted to advance a plan that will force government-run, taxpayer-funded health care onto the American people.
“By casting a vote to advance government-run, taxpayer-funded health care, Senators Bob Casey and Arlen Specter are once again proving that they would rather appease the White House than vote in the best interests of the Pennsylvanians they were elected to represent,” Gleason said. “After months of hearing their constituents’ voice strong opposition to government-run health care, Democrats have ignored their concerns and are forcing this awful legislation through as quickly as possible without time for a full debate on the most recent version of the government's takeover of our health care system. With this bill comprising more than 2,000 pages, there is barely enough time to read all of its devastating components, nonetheless debate the bill. The Senate version of ObamaCare will cut Medicare and punish hardworking families and small businesses with drastically higher taxes.
“Senators Bob Casey and Arlen Specter have now advanced forward a bill that includes severe cuts to Medicare Advantage, a program that thousands of Pennsylvania seniors depend on for their health care needs. If the purpose of this government-run health care plan is to insure all Americans, then why does it make major cuts to medical coverage for seniors? As a senior himself, would Senator Specter support this legislation if he wasn’t getting a Cadillac health care plan courtesy of the taxpayers?
“Pennsylvanians are desperately searching for leaders who will take a thoughtful, step-by-step approach to properly address rising health care costs. We need common-sense market-based reforms that will increase access to affordable health care and help our economy grow.
“I call on Senators Bob Casey and Arlen Specter to stand up for the needs of their constituents and vote against final passage of this wasteful government-run health care plan that puts the needs of their Party’s liberal agenda ahead of Pennsylvanians.”
According to a letter, dated November 18th, from CBO Director Doug Elmendorf to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the Senate’s government-run health care plan would include $465 billion in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, including $120 billion in cuts to Medicare Advantage. (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/107xx/doc10731/Reid_letter_11_18_09.pdf#page=1)
The same letter also notes that the Senate Democrats’ government-run health care plan would result in $493 billion in new taxes on small businesses, medical innovation, and higher payroll taxes. (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/107xx/doc10731/Reid_letter_11_18_09.pdf#page=1)
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