Local representatives on health care

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The House has acted. Now it's up to the Senate to hash out health care legislation .

U.S. Rep. Mark Souder released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3962 :

“This government takeover of our health care system not only ignores the concerns of Hoosiers who voiced their opinions in letters and phone calls, at town hall meetings, and in visits to Washington—it also erodes choice, competition, and innovation, leaving us with higher taxes, increased deficits and bigger government.

“At a time of record unemployment across northeast Indiana, the 1,990 pages of regulation in this bill are a death sentence for jobs and employers. This bill raises taxes on small business owners and severely taxes innovation in the medical device industry in Kosciusko County.

“It is only a matter of time before the public option drives out private insurance and government becomes the sole bill-payer for health care services. And, under this single-payer system, federal bureaucrats will decide the course of action—not doctors and patients.

“I simply do not support a bill that raises taxes, restricts job growth, facilitates an unconstitutional takeover of 17 percent of our economy, and spends a trillion dollars.

“I voted in favor of the House Republican alternative bill today because while it is not perfect, it is reasonable. It lowers health care premiums and ensures coverage for those with pre-existing conditions at only a fraction of the cost of the Democrats’ plan.”

Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN-05) issued the following statement:

"I voted against Speaker Pelosi's bill because it is a disaster for health care in America. It costs too much, taxes too much, cuts Medicare and Medicare Advantage, and will ultimately cause health care to be rationed.

"Furthermore, what the Democrats have done today could cost millions of jobs at a time when their failed spending policies have already pushed America's unemployment rate to 10.2%. Looking ahead, I encourage Hoosiers, and all Americans, opposed to a government takeover of health care to contact their Senators and Representatives and voice their concerns. The fight for a better way to improve America's health care is not over yet."

Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) made the following statement:

“From the beginning of the health care debate this year, constituents in my district and millions of Americans made it clear that they do not support the government takeover of our nation’s health care system which is exactly what Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Obama’s plan, H.R. 3962, does.

The final cost of Speaker Pelosi’s plan will cost $1.3 trillion dollars and with a national debt of almost $13 trillion dollars, our children and grandchildren will be forced to pay for this plan for decades to come. H.R. 3962 is largely funded with a $766.6 billion dollar tax increase over the next ten years. These taxes will be levied against small businesses and every American who currently has a private insurance plan.

Speaker Pelosi’s plan will ration health care in the United States, putting federal bureaucrats between you and your doctor and the health care decisions you make. Breaking one of President Obama’s many promises for health care reform, there is no guarantee under this bill that you will be able to keep your health insurance if you are satisfied with your plan. H.R. 3962 also includes civil and criminal penalties for those individuals who do not have “adequate coverage” as determined by the federal government, potentially forcing millions of Americans to pay fines or face jail should they choose not to go under the public option or carry private insurance.

Speaker Pelosi’s plan will bring hundreds of billions of dollars of cuts to Medicare and Medicare Advantage, placing further strain on our senior citizens who already struggle to make ends meet on fixed incomes. Additionally, this bill does nothing to ensure illegal aliens will not receive government subsidized health insurance or address much needed medical liability reform.

In short, Speaker Pelosi’s government run health care plan will cause irreparable harm to our personal liberties, national debt, and our nation’s health care system.”