Dear Joanne,
Yesterday, I voted
against the health care bill in the House of
Representatives.
I strongly support
health care reform, but this bill does not do enough to
contain costs, or protect small businesses, seniors,
taxpayers, and middle class families. Health care costs
are rising faster than wages and inflation, and this bill does
not change this trend. If health care reform does not bend the
cost curve, then we are simply pushing the cost onto future
generations.
Furthermore, the
House bill is estimated to cost $1.2 trillion. I believe
that Congress can do better, and find ways to lower the cost
of this legislation by rooting out more waste, fraud and abuse
in our inefficient health care system.
Since June, I have
consistently expressed my serious reservations about the House
proposal. At more than 60 community meetings this year, I have
listened to you and expressed my concerns throughout the
process. While I do believe this new version of the bill is a
step in the right direction, I am not satisfied that it curbs
costs and keeps health care affordable in the long term.
We must do more to ease health care
costs for hard-working American families. I will
continue to work to improve this bill before it is sent to the
President. In the meantime, I look forward to hearing
your views on how we can improve our health care
system.
Sincerely,
