The Republican Plan to Block Health Care Reform

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-merkley/the-republican-plan-to-bl_b_364058.html

Sen. Jeff Merkley
U.S. Senator from Oregon
Posted: November 19, 2009 02:07 PM
The Republican Plan to Block Health Care Reform


Last night, we took a huge step forward towards passing health care reform. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid unveiled details of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the CBO score stating that the bill will reduce the budget deficit by $127 billion dollars over the first 10 years and provide coverage to tens of millions of Americans who are currently uninsured.

The CBO score obliterates the arguments opponents of health care reform have been using for months. They've been claiming the Senate health plan will be a 'costly' government takeover and it will lead to 'delays' and 'denial' of care. For months, the Minority Leader has claimed that Americans will be "forced into a government plan they don't like." These false claims are deplorable scare tactics. The American people deserve better. They deserve the truth.

Truth- The bill will reduce the deficit by $127 billion dollars and brings down health care costs for individuals and businesses.

Truth - This bill will result in health care coverage for 94% of all Americans.

Truth - The bill includes a public option which will create much-needed competition with the private industry and give Americans more choices.

Truth - The bill will ban the egregious practice of insurance companies denying care on the basis of pre-existing conditions and will make it illegal for insurance companies to drop your coverage if you get sick.

Truth - The bill will end arbitrary lifetime limits and unreasonable annual caps that limit care to people who need it the most.

Truth - The health care bill increases patient care by investing in preventive care, wellness programs and helps families grapple with the high cost of long-term care.

Opponents of health care reform are not only peddling lies created by manipulative messengers like Frank Luntz, they're also doing whatever they can to obstruct progress. My colleagues across the aisle are going to use every weapon in their arsenal to block health care. They have no qualms about delaying and stonewalling this critical piece of legislation - after all, they have just spent two weeks blocking a bill providing vital health care services for our veterans. This is shameful.

Members of both parties know this bill will reduce the deficit. They know what a difference this bill could make in the lives of the uninsured and the under-insured. They know that it will help improve the bottom lines of the small businesses on Main Street.

We have a duty to ensure that patients don't have to worry whether they'll be dropped from their coverage if they get sick. Small business owners shouldn't have to break the bank to provide coverage to their employees. And families should not be forced into bankruptcy because of a medical crisis.

Congress has a choice to make. We can provide affordable, accessible health care to Americans, or we can continue with the status quo health care system that leaves millions of Americans behind. Now is the time for members of Congress to engage in real leadership, do what we were elected to do, and allow this bill to the Senate floor for debate.