Instructing Certain Committees To Report Legislation Replacing the Job-Killing Health Care Law

Floor Speech

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Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to this resolution. The House Republican majority has brought this resolution to the House floor claiming that they will take action to replace the health reform bill that they voted to repeal yesterday--yet again, with no specifics. But the Republican record on tackling the issues with our health care system is clear. Between the years 2000 and 2006, health insurance premiums doubled--went up 100 percent--and the profits of the major health insurance companies quadrupled. What did the Congress do during those years to stop those skyrocketing premiums? Nothing.

In contrast, the health reform bill signed by President Obama finally provides the chance to rein in those exorbitant premiums and will reduce the deficit by more than $1 trillion in the next 20 years. It has already put in place important consumer protections, reduces prescription drug costs to seniors by closing the Medicare Part D donut hole, and provides tax credits for small business owners who provide insurance coverage. And Washington Republicans just want the American people to trust that they will come up with a plan--without a single detail, without a timeline, without any track record of addressing this crisis in our Nation.

There are certainly areas where we can improve this historic reform legislation. In fact, the House voted in the last Congress to repeal the 1099 provision on small businesses--House Republicans opposed that effort. But the American people don't want to go backwards by repealing these new rights, and doing so without a specific plan to replace it is simply irresponsible. It's time to stop playing shell games and start working to move America forward.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues vote nay on this resolution.

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