CONGRESS JOHN FLEMING M.D.

FLEMING HEALTH CARE REPEAL UPDATE
IT'S BAAAAAACK - The Public Option is Being Considered in Congress Again

“We're going to have a public option….It's just a question of when.”
–Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, July 2010.

If you thought the worst of the health care debate was behind us, think again. Earlier this week, 128 liberal Democrats joined California Democrat, Lynn Woolsey on a new bill, H.R. 5808, that would amend the new health care reform bill to create a public option in the new health insurance exchanges. While there are a few minor changes in this new bill, this public-option model is nearly identical to the original government health care plan we fought so hard against and defeated just 6 months ago.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: This new public option is being presented by Woolsey and her liberal colleagues under the ruse of reducing the deficit. That’s right—they want to grow the public welfare state and have you think it will reduce government spending. Can you say, ludicrous? This ploy of theirs won’t stop as long as Nancy Pelosi is Speaker.

THE DOCTOR'S DIAGNOSIS: America must continue to provide the best health care services while providing affordable access to that care. Although still in its infancy, we are already seeing some of the devastating impacts of the new health care reform law. Companies are already making plans to lay off employees and some businesses are closing as a direct result of that legislation. If the current Majority moves our country further toward a public option, we will end up with a health care system like the NHS, which we know subjects British citizens to long lines, rationing and preventable deaths.

Early in this debate, in response to the insistence by many in the majority that health reform contain a public option, I offered a resolution, H. Res. 615, to require Members of Congress to put their money where their mouth is, and urge colleagues who vote for legislation creating a government-run health care plan to lead by example and enroll themselves in the same public plan. Nearly 4 million Americans from all 50 states contacted my office to offer their support for H. Res 615.

As this process unfolds, I will continue to work to repeal what I firmly believe to be an onerous and unconstitutional health care reform law which passed last March and find market-based solutions to our health care needs.

Sincerely,


JOHN FLEMING, M.D.
Member of Congress

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