Westmoreland Lauds GOP Health Plan’s Cost Savings

11/5/09 As thousands gathered today in Washington to express their opposition to the Democrats’ government takeover of health care, the Republicans produced further evidence that they have found a better, more affordable way to bring down the cost of health care for American families.

Last night, the Congressional Budget Office confirmed that the Republican health care alternative would reduce health insurance premiums by up to 10 percent and cut the federal deficit by $68 billion over 10 years, without raising taxes on families and small businesses.

“We all want to protect access to health insurance and bring down the soaring costs, but we must do it in a way that’s affordable, sustainable and let’s people keep their current coverage if they want it,” Westmoreland said. “The Republican plan makes targeted reforms – such as assuring access to coverage for people with pre-existing conditions – without implementing an entire government takeover of the health care system.

“The Democratic bill that the Congress is scheduled to vote on Saturday, in contrast, will cost more than $1.3 trillion over the life of the bill. It’ll expand entitlement spending, it’ll raise taxes on small business payrolls and on medical devices, it’ll cost jobs by mandating coverage that some businesses can’t afford, it’ll put government in between the doctor and the patient, and it’ll cut Medicare funding. By expanding Medicaid eligibility, the legislation also puts new burdens on states that already are struggling to pay their bills. The states share the cost of the Medicaid program, and this could cost Georgia $2 billion to $4 billion over the next 10 years. That’s a huge share of our state budget, and it’s a cost we simply can’t bear.

“But, luckily, there is a better way. Republicans are providing that alternative, although the Democrats continue to insist we’re not offering ideas. We are. They just don’t want Americans to know it.”
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