[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 16 (Wednesday, February 23, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: February 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
THE CLINTON PLAN AND ITS EFFECT ON SMALL BUSINESS
(Mr. BAKER of California asked and was given permission to address
the House for 1 minute, and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. BAKER of California. Mr. Speaker, as we consider the President's
health care reform plan, we must not forget small business and what
harm this plan will do to them. The President's plan calls for a
mandatory 7.9-percent payroll tax. This additional tax on hiring will
cripple small business, and there is no guarantee that this tax will
not increase in time, furthering the damage done to the backbone of the
American business community.
The Congressional Budget Office made several conclusions about the
Clinton plan. First, it is a huge, untried expansion of government into
the daily lives of all Americans.
No. 2, it will create a greater deficit crisis than we already have
today, over $70 billion for starters.
And No. 3, every American family will be forced to pay for this plan
with large payroll tax increases.
But the analysis of the Congressional Budget Office is only part of
the story. CBO did not talk about the implied rationing of the Clinton
plan or the diminished quality or about the limited choice, the ability
to choose one's doctor.
Mr. Speaker, the Clinton plan is history. Let us now have a practical
discussion on insurance portability and earlier primary care for the
uninsured. This does not require turning medicine over to big
government. That idea has been tried and failed. The Evil Empire is
dead.
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