Reconciliation Act Of 2010

Floor Speech

* Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I strongly oppose a government takeover of our nation's healthcare system. It is irresponsible for Congress to approve a vastly unpopular and costly measure at a time of unprecedented budget deficits and uncertainty about the future of the economy. Despite overwhelming opposition by the American people, the Majority in Congress, led by Speaker Pelosi, has resorted to manipulating longstanding procedural rules to rush through an overhaul of our nation's healthcare system. My constituents understand that any bill that requires backroom special deals to pass is fundamentally flawed.

* Obtaining quality medical care is a top priority for Ohioans and their families. Instead of forcing an unpopular, one-size-fits-all approach to healthcare reform, Congress and the White House should listen to the American people and return to the drawing board to negotiate a real bipartisan agreement in order to achieve true reform.

* Real health care reform does not have to undermine the strengths of our current system, nor limit doctor choice or care availability. A series of commonsense measures will go a long way toward improving health care for all Americans. For example, insurance companies should be prohibited from excluding a person for coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

* Medical research is also essential to bringing health care costs down. Private ingenuity is the strength of our current system and should be preserved and encouraged. The federal bureaucracy cannot stand in the way of such important research.

* When employees change jobs, they should be able to take their health insurance with them. Continuity of coverage can be critical for a person in the midst of important health-related treatment.

* Our litigation system forces doctors and hospitals to raise operating costs. For decades, the cost of medical liability has risen much more rapidly than actual medical care. Limiting frivolous lawsuits would have a significant effect on containing health care costs and promoting accessibility to care.

* Individuals should be allowed to deduct the full cost of their health insurance premiums from their federal income taxes. Furthermore, we should expand the ability to put tax-free dollars into Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to be used for lifetime medical expenses. These measures alone would make health care more affordable for many.

* These are reasonable reforms that don't rely upon the creation of a new, massive government health system. Although I oppose this bill, I will continue to fight to replace this government takeover of our healthcare system, and I remain committed to supporting Southwest Ohioans' call for commonsense solutions.

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