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Health Care

Floor Speech

Date: Nov. 3, 2009
Location: Washington, D.C.
Issues: Health and Health Care

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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