[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 161 (Thursday, December 13, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H6767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          COMMENDATION FOR GOVERNOR HASLAM'S BUSINESS DECISION

  (Mr. DesJARLAIS asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. DesJARLAIS. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Governor Bill Haslam 
of my home State of Tennessee for his decision not to set up a State-
run health care exchange. Governor Haslam was exactly right when he 
said this was a business decision, not a political one.
  After 2 years, the Obama administration has failed to provide States 
with sufficient guidance as to how State exchanges would function, yet 
President Obama expects States to make that decision this week. That's 
like asking a business to sign a contract that is still being written.
  Further, there is evidence that the Federal Government will 
ultimately control exchanges no matter who creates them. The only 
difference is if a State sets up an exchange, it will pay for it. No 
business would take a deal like that.
  Finally, Tennessee has seen what experimental health care reform 
looks like in TennCare. This program almost collapsed and bankrupted 
our State. What business would risk its finances on a proposal modeled 
after a failed plan?
  I applaud Governor Haslam and thank him for his business-like 
approach.

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