[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 19620]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           HEALTH CARE REFORM

  (Mr. OLSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, House Republicans and some Democrats have 
been highlighting the problems with the proposed Democrat health care 
bill.
  The Rosenberg-Richmond Chamber of Commerce in Fort Bend County, 
Texas, represents over 800 businesses that have deep concerns with this 
massive intrusion of government-run health care. Last week they passed 
a resolution strongly opposing the current health care proposals.
  Highlights of the resolution include: ``a government plan would be an 
unfair competitor, with the government acting as both a team owner and 
the referee.''
  Another quote: ``New taxes and fees for businesses and/or individuals 
that cannot afford health insurance would be dramatically 
counterproductive.''
  And one final one: ``Taxation of health benefits will lead to a 
reduction in benefits offered by employers and will lead to higher 
taxes for many individuals and businesses.''
  Local chambers of commerce and small businesses understand better 
than most the problems with government-run health care. The Rosenberg-
Richmond Chamber of Commerce gets it. I wish my colleagues on the other 
side of the aisle did.
  I include in the Record a copy of the resolution. -

        Resolution in Opposition of Proposed Health Care Reform

       Whereas, The United States has the world's best health care 
     system, but it is being priced out of reach for more and more 
     American citizens and companies. Companies struggle to find 
     health care plans that provide adequate coverage and are 
     still affordable, and worry about what will come next year; 
     and
       Whereas, the Rosenberg-Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce, 
     under various names, has been working for and with local 
     businesses to create a positive economic environment in Fort 
     Bend County, Texas for over eighty years and is currently the 
     voice of 800 businesses; and
       Whereas, the Rosenberg-Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce 
     recognizes that most health care coverage is provided by 
     employers; to make it easier for employers and their 
     employees to afford the health care coverage they need, we 
     SUPPORT legislative action to:
       Retain viable employer-sponsored health care. Employers 
     provide voluntary health insurance to over 177 million. ERISA 
     allows many of them the flexibility to provide uniform 
     benefits and is the backbone of employer-provided coverage 
     and must be preserved.
       Reform the delivery system including payment and 
     reimbursement reform to reduce costs while increasing quality 
     and outcomes including: implementation of comprehensive 
     strategies to boost health information technology, wellness, 
     prevention, disease management and care coordination.
       Create a more vibrant private health insurance market for 
     individuals and small businesses.
       Control soaring health care costs due to the explosive 
     growth in medical liability awards and insurance costs 
     through specialized health courts.
       Encourage more Americans to purchase health insurance by 
     enacting refundable tax credits for that purpose.
       Encourage more Americans to save for medical expenses tax-
     free by expanding Health Savings Accounts and allowing those 
     with Flexible Spending Accounts to roll over unused balances 
     to pay for future medical expenses.
       Whereas, the Rosenberg-Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce 
     OPPOSES legislative action that will:
       Create a Government-run (public) plan: A government-run 
     plan would be an unfair competitor, with the government 
     acting as both a team owner and the referee. Government 
     programs shift costs to the private sector. The Lewin Group 
     estimates 130 million people would move from private sector 
     to public insurance. This could lead to a government-
     controlled single-payer system.
       Create Employer Mandates: Punishing employers who cannot 
     afford to provide health insurance coverage, including 
     requirements to pay or play, is not the answer. Employer 
     mandates, by their nature limit flexibility and innovation--
     the cornerstones of American health care.
       Create Minimum Required Coverage Level: Proposing a huge 
     Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP)--like 
     minimum coverage package will bankrupt employers and workers. 
     High-end coverage like this will not appeal to the young. The 
     minimum level of coverage should be reflective of a high-
     deductible health plan with coverage of preventative 
     services.
       Impose additional tax burdens individuals or businesses: 
     The implementation of new taxes and fees for businesses and/
     or individuals that cannot afford health insurance would be 
     dramatically counterproductive. Further, the taxation of 
     health benefits will lead to a reduction in benefits offered 
     by employers and will lead to higher taxes for many 
     individuals and businesses: Now therefore be it Resolved, 
     that the Board of Directors of the Rosenberg-Richmond Area 
     Chamber of Commerce OPPOSES the passage of legislation that 
     is currently proposed by the President of the United States 
     and Congress which will create a public insurance plan and 
     employer mandates and major tax increases including imposing 
     an additional ``surtax'' on high income earners.

       Adopted this 21st day of July, 2009.
     Lynne Humphries,
       Chairman of the Board
     Gail Parker,
       President/CEO.

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