3/21/10

The Democratic-controlled Congress has approved historic legislation extending health care to tens of millions of Americans who lack it and cracking down on insurance company abuses.

 

The vote in the House was 219-212. Republicans were unanimously opposed. The bill now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.

 

The action late Sunday capped a yearlong quest by Obama and Democrats to overhaul the system and reshape a sixth of the economy.

 

Alaskan Congressman Don Young released the following statement today following the passage of government mandated health care:

 

“Today is a bad day.  Today, the people’s House turned its back on the people.  Today, a bill was rammed down the throats of good Americans who trust us to preserve their freedoms and today, those freedoms were stifled.  Thousands gathered on the National Mall this weekend to let their voices be heard because they are scared.  They are scared that their liberties are being stomped on and they are scared of the government intrusion in their lives and they are right.  This Administration force-fed America a bill that will increase premiums while growing inefficient government bureaucracy by establishing nearly 160 new boards, commissions, and programs.  This bill doesn’t include real health care reform, it’s reform in name only.  What we passed is composed of ego and partisanship, and does nothing to help Alaskans and nothing to help our country.”

 

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, issued the following statement tonight after the House of Representatives passed health care legislation:

 

“Proponents of the partisan health care bill say that the public will like the bill once it is passed. Will they like the fact that Americans will have to pay four years of taxes before they get the benefits? That’s like making mortgage payments for four years before you can move into your new home. Will they like that the legislation cuts Medicare by more than $500 billion at a time when the program is slated to go broke in seven years? Will they like a half trillion dollars in new taxes to help pay for a massive government expansion of health care? At a time when the nation’s debt has reached historically high levels, and the economy remains in a deep recession with unemployment hovering near 10 percent, this is the wrong bill at the wrong time. At more than $2.6 trillion, the cost of the legislation in its first 10 years of full implementation, we cannot afford it.”

 

Governor Sean Parnell today expressed grave concern with the passage by Congress of national health care legislation, noting polls that show the vast majority of Americans opposing the government takeover of about one-sixth of the economy. 

 

“This is public policy at its worst,” Governor Parnell said. “I am very concerned with the impacts this bill will have on Alaska’s seniors, families, small businesses, and physicians. For the many Alaskans currently unable to afford insurance, this legislation will do nothing but require that they purchase health insurance. This bill will increase insurance premiums and do very little to ensure that patients have access to needed health care professionals.”

 

The governor shares the view of many Americans that forcing citizens into a health care plan they don’t want, and one the nation can not afford, is unconstitutional.

 

“Today’s vote will also have a lasting financial impact on the state’s general fund due to the increased Medicaid costs to the states.” 

 

Governor Parnell has been a consistent critic of the legislation. Earlier this year, the governor urged Alaska’s congressional delegation to consider the impacts to Alaska, its citizens and business.

 

Governor Parnell also joined 19 Republican governors and governors-elect urging congressional leaders to regroup and pass “meaningful health care reform,” rather than the current legislation, which they called rushed, partisan, ineffective and burdensome for multiple generations of American taxpayers. The governor also directed Attorney General Dan Sullivan to conduct a legal review of the legislation.

 

Democrats reject GOP effort to undo health bill

 

Democrats turned back a Republican attempt to undo House passage of historic legislation Sunday night that extends health care to millions of Americans.

 

The vote was 232-199 against the GOP effort.

 

Republicans tried a procedural move to redo the bill moments after the House had passed it by a vote of 219-212. Republicans argued the legislation would permit the use of federal money to pay for abortions.

 

Earlier in the day President Barack Obama issued an executive order pledging that no federal funds would be used for elective abortion. The measure satisfied key anti-abortion Democrats and assured passage of the bill.

 

House passes Democratic changes to health bill

The House has passed key changes to its just-approved overhaul of health care legislation. The changes are part of a prearranged agreement to guarantee passage of the historic legislation.

 

The changes passed by a 220-211 vote. That bill now goes to the Senate for final approval, where it only requires a simple majority to pass.

 

The fast-track measure eliminates targeted provisions for specific states in the main health care bill. It softens a tax on high-value insurance plans opposed by organized labor.

 

It also contains an education provision that is a domestic priority of President Barack Obama. That measure increases college assistance for needy students and ends government reliance on private lenders for higher education loans.

Filed under: News by KSRM News Desk