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December 11, 2009

Does Anyone Actually Support the  Health Bill?

Harry Reid’s Coalition of the  Unwilling Reveals Lack Of Consensus; Doubts About Washington Takeover  Linger
 
Washington, D.C.— Patients First, A Project of Americans for  Prosperity™ is highlighting the pervasive  unpopularity of the health care overhaul that Majority Leader Harry Reid is  ramming through the Senate at breakneck speed.  A recent CNN/ORC survey found that Americans  strongly oppose the Senate plan by a 61 to 36 percent margin.  It further showed that only 22 percent of Americans believe the  Senate bill would help them and their families; 79 percent believe the legislation  will increase the federal budget deficit and 85 percent believe their taxes will  increase.  But now, strong criticism from an  assortment of liberal Senators, interest groups, and unions should make any  reasonable person ask:

Does anyone actually support the health  care bill?
 
“This is a coalition of the  unwilling, pure and simple,” said Dr. Eric Novack, an  orthopedic surgeon and patients’ advocate with the group Patients First. “A CNN poll released today shows that  61 percent of Americans are against the Senate bill.  Americans overwhelmingly understand  exactly what this bill means: higher taxes, a further explosion of the  deficit, and no significant improvement in their health and health  care.  Harry Reid is playing  chicken with the health of Americans to bully his colleagues to vote for  this bill.  The American people  have spoken—there is a clear mandate: Senators, vote NO on this bill.” 
 
Earlier this week, Harry Reid dramatically proclaimed  that his liberal and moderate colleagues had “come to a consensus.”  It appears that Harry Reid spoke out  of turn.  As Senate Republicans  have highlighted, here’s what Harry  Reid’s Coalition of the Unwilling has actually  said:

  • Senator Ben Nelson  (D-NE): “I  haven’t signed on to the proposal.” 
  • Senator Russ Feingold  (D-WI): “I do  not support proposals that would replace the public  option.” 
  • Senator Mary Landrieu  (D-LA):  “There’s no specific compromise.   There were discussions.” 
  • Senator Blanche Lincoln  (D-AR):  “Sending the bill to the CBO was about all the ten Senators agree to  do.” 
  • Senator Joe Lieberman  (ID-CT): “My  opposition to a government-run insurance option, including any option with  a trigger, has been clear for months and remains my position today.  Regarding the Medicare buy-in  proposals that is being discussed, we must remain vigilant about  protecting and extending the solvency of the program, which is now in a  perilous financial condition.” 
  • Senator Roland Burris  (D-IL): “[If]  it does not have a public option in it, I will not vote for  it.”

And criticism extends beyond the  Hill to traditional Liberal groups protesting the bill’s taxation of health  insurance benefits:

  • The  A.F.L.-C.I.O. 
  • International Brotherhood of  Teamsters 
  • Screen Actors Guild 
  • Writers  Guild of America, West 
  • Writers  Guild of America,  East

Americans for Prosperity®  (AFP)  is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every  individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes  reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring  individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and  engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government  growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. AFP has more  than   800,000 members,  including members in all 50 states, and 25 state chapters. More than 55,000  Americans in all 50 states have made a financial investment in AFP or AFP  Foundation. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org.
 
Patients  First  is a project of Americans for Prosperity® (AFP), focused on real health care  reform that will lead to more choices for patients and affordable healthcare  options for all.  Patients First is not affiliated in any way with  Patient First health clinics.   For more information on Patients First, go to  www.JoinPatientsFirst.com.
 

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