[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 26543]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              HEALTH CARE

  (Mr. PLATTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, in my district, I am often asked do I think 
health care reform will pass this session. My answer is always, I 
certainly hope so. The status quo should be unacceptable to everyone.
  However, Speaker Pelosi's reform proposal is not the right reform. 
Our overriding principle should be first ``do no harm.'' Unfortunately, 
in my humble opinion, Speaker Pelosi's proposal will do significant 
harm.
  Just two examples: The Speaker's proposal seeks to cut funding from 
Medicare by over $400 billion, making access to quality health care 
more difficult for our Nation's senior citizens. Second, it raises 
taxes on small businesses, making it more difficult for employers to 
cover their employees with health insurance.
  There is a better way. The Republican alternative is about lowering 
the cost of health care for all Americans, about ensuring the 
portability of health insurance, and ending the denial of health 
insurance due to preexisting conditions. Remember, first do no harm.

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