Healthcare Bill Passes House, All ArkLaTex Reps. Vote "No"
By: Import User
Updated: March 23, 2010
The U.S. House passes the healthcare reform bill 219-212. They needed 216 votes for passage.
The landmark legislation expands healthcare to more than 30-million Americans at a cost of $940-billion over ten years. The legislation also goes after abusive practices of the health insurance industry, including denying coverage for pre-existing conditions. It's also projected to reduce the federal deficit by $138-billion over a decade.
Republicans challenge those budget assumptions, calling the Democratic legislation deeply flawed, overly complicated and too expensive. Democrats call it a long-overdue overhaul of the nation's complex and costly healthcare system.
All three ArkLaTex represenatives voted against the healthcare reform bill.
Rep. John Fleming, (R-LA)
Rep. Louie Gohmert, (R-TX)
Rep. Mike Ross, (D-AR)
Rep. Fleming released a statement saying "...the reality is this bill is bad for Americans. This bill is based on Bernie Madoff-like economics. From double-accounting to more taxes to higher premiums to taxpayer funded abortions, this bill will insert Washington further into the everyday lives of Americans and government bureaucrats between doctors and patients."
To read all of Rep. Fleming's comments, click here: http://arklatexhomepage.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=99762
Rep. Gohmert called the outcome "heartbreaking" and tells NBC 6 News he is worried about immediate tax hikes. He says those tax hikes will hurt East Texas business owners who are already on the verge of bankruptcy.
Before the vote, Rep. Ross released the following statement: "This will be one of the most difficult votes I have ever cast in the House of Representatives because I believe we need health care reform... There are parts of this bill that are good, including much-needed health insurance reforms and making health insurance affordable for the uninsured. On the other hand, many parts of this bill cause me great concern, like telling people they must buy health insurance or be fined, cutting Medicare by more than a half-trillion dollars, increasing taxes and forcing businesses to provide health insurance to their employees. I am also concerned how these new mandates will impact our small businesses as we recover from this economic recession and they attempt to put people back to work... I am unconvinced this bill will adequately address the long-term trend of rising health care costs that burden our government and every Arkansas family."
To see Rep. Ross' entire statement, click here: http://arklatexhomepage.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=99761
The landmark legislation expands healthcare to more than 30-million Americans at a cost of $940-billion over ten years. The legislation also goes after abusive practices of the health insurance industry, including denying coverage for pre-existing conditions. It's also projected to reduce the federal deficit by $138-billion over a decade.
Republicans challenge those budget assumptions, calling the Democratic legislation deeply flawed, overly complicated and too expensive. Democrats call it a long-overdue overhaul of the nation's complex and costly healthcare system.
All three ArkLaTex represenatives voted against the healthcare reform bill.
Rep. John Fleming, (R-LA)
Rep. Louie Gohmert, (R-TX)
Rep. Mike Ross, (D-AR)
Rep. Fleming released a statement saying "...the reality is this bill is bad for Americans. This bill is based on Bernie Madoff-like economics. From double-accounting to more taxes to higher premiums to taxpayer funded abortions, this bill will insert Washington further into the everyday lives of Americans and government bureaucrats between doctors and patients."
To read all of Rep. Fleming's comments, click here: http://arklatexhomepage.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=99762
Rep. Gohmert called the outcome "heartbreaking" and tells NBC 6 News he is worried about immediate tax hikes. He says those tax hikes will hurt East Texas business owners who are already on the verge of bankruptcy.
Before the vote, Rep. Ross released the following statement: "This will be one of the most difficult votes I have ever cast in the House of Representatives because I believe we need health care reform... There are parts of this bill that are good, including much-needed health insurance reforms and making health insurance affordable for the uninsured. On the other hand, many parts of this bill cause me great concern, like telling people they must buy health insurance or be fined, cutting Medicare by more than a half-trillion dollars, increasing taxes and forcing businesses to provide health insurance to their employees. I am also concerned how these new mandates will impact our small businesses as we recover from this economic recession and they attempt to put people back to work... I am unconvinced this bill will adequately address the long-term trend of rising health care costs that burden our government and every Arkansas family."
To see Rep. Ross' entire statement, click here: http://arklatexhomepage.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=99761
