We Can't Afford Health Bill
Madam Speaker:
I rise in support of the rule and the underlying legislation, the so-called affordable care act, which should be called the unaffordable care act.
Even if the President’s plan was the best thing since sliced bread, we simply cannot afford it.
Both Medicare and Medicaid now cost many times more than what was estimated when they were first passed.
Already, the estimate for the President’s plan is double what it was just one year ago, and most of it will not be fully implemented until 2014 and some parts until 2016.
And much of it is “paid for” by placing millions more onto the Medicaid rolls.
This will cost all the states many billions they do not have.
The non-partisan Congressional Quarterly estimated these additional Medicaid costs at $627 billion over the next 10 years.
In addition, the Joint Committee on Taxation in June estimated that increased taxes over the next 10 years just to cover the plan would be from $675 billion up to possibly $804.6 billion.
If these are low ball, front-end estimates, as is typical, the healthcare plan will not work unless medical care is limited or restricted more and more each year.
In considering their vote on this legislation, the so-called Affordable Care Act, I hope that my colleagues will consider these strong words by Dr. Milton R. Wolfe, President Obama’s cousin, he wrote this:
“For the first time in the history of our Republic, our government has demanded that every American, upon the condition of breathing, be forced to enter a legal contract with government approved corporations.
Not even King George III dared impose such control. In truth if a government can force you to patronize companies of its choosing, the fundamental relationship between the government and the individual is irrevocably changed.
If it is allowed to stand there will be no part of your life the government cannot control and no crony it cannot enrich-with your money.”