[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 25784]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              DEMOCRAT HEALTH PLAN HURTS AMERICAN SENIORS

  (Mr. HASTINGS of Washington asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, the Democrats, contrary to 
what we have been hearing, are behind closed doors, writing a sweeping 
change to our health care system. Unfortunately, a government takeover 
of health care, as we know, would raise taxes, eliminate choices, fine 
small businesses, and cut Medicare by more than $500 billion. According 
to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the proposed cuts would 
result in millions of seniors losing their current plan, including 
100,000 in my State of Washington. I have spoken with many hospitals in 
my district who say that Medicare cuts would have serious consequences 
on them.
  We need reform, Mr. Speaker, but Americans deserve better than secret 
deals. I support proposals to make purchasing insurance more 
affordable, expand health savings accounts, help small businesses 
afford their benefits and end lawsuit abuse. It's time to begin open, 
transparent, bipartisan work on legislation that actually increases 
choices and lowers cost.

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