[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 110 (Tuesday, July 21, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H8444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           FIRST, DO NO HARM

  (Mr. PLATTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, as the House of Representatives addresses 
the very important issue of health care reform, we need to adhere to 
the principles of all physicians: first, do no harm.
  Unfortunately, the legislation that came out of the House Education 
and Labor Committee late last week does not adhere to this principle. 
CBO tells us it will drive up the costs of health care in the United 
States. In fact, when it's fully implemented, over $200 billion a year 
this plan will cost, it will not protect the right to keep the 
insurance coverage that you currently have. If you like it--that was 
one of the underlying principles of the administration--this bill will 
not protect that right.
  It will not adhere to that principle: do no harm. It will drive up 
costs. It will take away freedom of choice of the American citizens, 
and it is also going to have an impact on the ability for small 
businesses to provide insurance because of the taxes included in this 
bill. It's going to cost people insurance because small businesses will 
not be able to continue to afford the 8 percent payroll tax as well as 
an increase on small businesses filing a subchapter S.
  First, do no harm. We need to adhere to that principle. 
Unfortunately, this legislation does not do that.

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