[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 26536]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              HEALTH CARE

  (Mr. GUTHRIE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, the Pelosi health care bill hits States 
when they are hurting the most by mandating a $34 billion expansion of 
Medicaid. I served in State government and have helped write budgets, 
and I know firsthand this expansion creates a serious problem for 
Kentucky's already stretched resources and will leave fewer dollars 
available for our schools and universities.
  Last week, Dr. James Ramsey, president of the University of 
Louisville and a renowned professor of public finance, predicted the 
next budget period in Kentucky will be ``a bloodbath'' and said a high 
price will be paid for inadequate funding of all State programs.
  Phil Bredesen, the Democratic Governor of Tennessee and a health care 
expert, said he is most concerned with the financial impact on the 
States, and he said ``this is the mother of all unfunded mandates.''
  There are many reforms that will make health care more affordable and 
accessible without giving huge debts to our children. Forcing State 
governments to look to our schools and universities for the money to 
meet this mandate is not acceptable. Our children deserve better.

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