GOP Response: "It's Time to Start Over"
(CBS)
"It's clear the American people want health care reform, but they want their elected leaders to get it right," he said following the president's address. "Most Americans wanted to hear the president tell Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Reid and the rest of Congress that it's time to start over on a common-sense, bipartisan plan focused on lowering the cost of health care while improving quality. That's what I heard over the past several months in talking to thousands of my constituents."
The Louisiana Republican, a heart surgeon, also addressed areas where he agreed with the Democrats on health care reform, and where he disagreed.
CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care
Boustany said that Republicans and Democrats agree that everyone should have access to coverage including those with preexisting conditions, that individuals and small business should be able to band together to get insurance, that assistance should be provided to those who cannot access a doctor and that there should be incentives for wellness and prevention.
"We're grateful the president mentioned medical liability reform, and we hope he's serious," he said. "We need to establish tough liability reform standards, encourage speedy resolution of claims, and deter junk lawsuits that drive up the cost of care. Real reform must do this."
But he came out against the government-run component of the plan, otherwise known as the public option.
"The president had a chance tonight to take government-run health care off the table," Boustany said. "Unfortunately, he didn't do it."
"I read the bill Democrats passed through committee in July. It creates 53 new government bureaucracies, adds hundreds of billions to our national debt, and raises taxes on job-creators by $600 billion," he added. "And, it cuts Medicare by $500 billion, while doing virtually nothing to make the program better for our seniors."
As for other ideas from the Republicans on health care that Mr. Obama does not agree with, he noted one to let families and businesses buy insurance across state lines, something many Republicans have been talking about for years.
Boustany was not the only Republican to immediately weigh in after the speech. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said Mr. Obama has "has proven his ability again to speak very well and say very little."
"He continued to try and sell his government-run health care experiment even though it will increase costs, increase taxes and increase the deficit," Steele said in a statement. "He said he wants to work with Republicans, but Nancy Pelosi and liberals in the House have opposed Republicans every step of the way. If the Democrats are serious about passing health care reform this year, they should stop pointing fingers and truly start working with Republicans to pass common-sense bipartisan health care reform that Americans want and deserve."
Full CBSNews.com coverage of the president's speech on health care:
Obama Tells Congress to Stop Bickering
Full Video Full Transcript Speech Highlights
GOP Response: "It's Time to Start Over"
Marc Ambinder: Will Obama's Sales Job Work?
Mark Knoller: Obama Willing to Compromise — Up to a Point
Was Obama Clear on the Public Option?
Ted Kennedy's Letter to Obama
Rep. Wilson Swipes the Spotlight
Analysis: The Road Ahead for Health Care
Here is the full prepared text from Boustany:
"Good evening. I'm Dr. Charles Boustany, and I'm proud to serve the people of Louisiana's Seventh Congressional District. I'm also a heart surgeon with more than 20 years of experience, during which I saw first-hand the need for lowering health care costs.
"Republicans are pleased that President Obama came to the Capitol tonight. We agree much needs to be done to lower the cost of health care for all Americans. On that goal, Republicans are ready – and we've been ready – to work with the President for common-sense reforms that our nation can afford.
"Afford is an important word. Our country is facing many challenges. The cost of health care is rising. Federal spending is soaring. We're piling huge debt on our children. And families and small businesses are struggling through a jobless recovery, with more than 2.4 million private-sector jobs lost since February.
"It's clear the American people want health care reform, but they want their elected leaders to get it right. Most Americans wanted to hear the President tell Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Reid and the rest of Congress that it's time to start over on a common-sense, bipartisan plan focused on lowering the cost of health care while improving quality. That's what I heard over the past several months in talking to thousands of my constituents.
"Replacing your family's current health care with government-run health care is not the answer. In fact, it'll make health care much more expensive. That's not just my personal diagnosis as a doctor or a Republican; it's the conclusion of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office – the neutral scorekeeper that determines the cost of major bills.
"I read the bill Democrats passed through committee in July. It creates 53 new government bureaucracies, adds hundreds of billions to our national debt, and raises taxes on job-creators by $600 billion. And, it cuts Medicare by $500 billion, while doing virtually nothing to make the program better for our seniors.
"The President had a chance tonight to take government-run health care off the table. Unfortunately, he didn't do it.
"We can do better, with a targeted approach that tackles the biggest problems. Here are four important areas where we can agree, right now:
"One, all individuals should have access to coverage, regardless of preexisting conditions.
"Two, individuals, small businesses and other groups should be able to join together to get health insurance at lower prices, the same way large businesses and labor unions do.
"Three, we can provide assistance to those who still cannot access a doctor.
"And, four, insurers should be able to offer incentives for wellness care and prevention – something particularly important to me. I operated on too many people who could have avoided surgery if they'd simply made healthier choices earlier in life.
"We do have ideas the President hasn't agreed with. We're grateful the President mentioned medical liability reform, and we hope he's serious. We need to establish tough liability reform standards, encourage speedy resolution of claims, and deter junk lawsuits that drive up the cost of care. Real reform must do this.
"Let's also talk about letting families and businesses buy insurance across state lines. I and many other Republicans believe that that will provide real choice and competition to lower the cost of health insurance. Unfortunately, the President disagrees.
"You can read more about all these reforms at healthcare.gop.gov. These are common-sense reforms we can achieve right away – without destroying jobs, exploding the deficit, rationing care, or taking away the freedom American families cherish.
"This Congress can pass meaningful reform soon to reduce some of the fear and anxiety families are feeling in these very difficult times. Working together in a bipartisan way, we can truly lower the cost of health care while improving quality for the American people.
"I'm Dr. Charles Boustany. Thanks for listening."
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I am one of those Americans with no voice and no job after making a good salary steadily since 1983 and I have very limited very high medical coverage. I also went through a period with no coverage. I did not understand when you were running why you asked America to help you in changing our Country. That is, until I see how divisive and corrupt the Republican Party has been. We will help you fight to help us. I have older retired family members and for the Republicans to lie and insinuate lies about killing them is beyond unethical. It should be unlawful. They had no regard for the terror and fear they instilled in our seniors. All they wanted to do was to incite a Riot against you by any means necessary. You have people like Beck, Dobbs, and Fox Media News as their cheering section and supporting the lies and the whole time inciting riots all over the United States and they had absolutely no Remorse. They had no compassion. They did not care about who would suffer the most from their lies. Instead of spending this time working on building and supporting a healthcare plan for 46 million Americans, they used the time Congress was on recess to divide America that is, until now. Rep. Charles Boustany then says now, now they want to start all over. He is joke and they need to go. Enough is enough and Joe Wilson?s temper tantrum was an embarrassment.
Then they had an idiot representative respond stating that they want to start all over again. They do not care about America. It is clear that they do not realize that they were given these jobs, not represent Evil or instill hate through lies, but to represent the people, Main Stream America of your state. Mr. Joe Wilson of South Carolina, you do not represent the Americans of your state. You are an Embarrassment. You showed extreme immaturity. The trifling, uncaring, unethical, and ignorant way The Republicans handle themselves clearly shows they are all about political agendas rather helping hurting people who desire change. Thank you President Obama for fighting for Main Street America and we now know that you said Yes We Can, because you need our help. You are not fighting alone any longer. We will help you by voting out the Trash and voting for America. We will Help You to Help Us. YES WE CAN.
GOD Bless You.
At its start, in 1966, Medicare cost $3 billion. The House Ways and Means Committee, along with President Johnson, estimated that Medicare would cost an inflation-adjusted $12 billion by 1990. In 1990, Medicare topped $107 billion. That's nine times Congress' prediction. Today's Medicare tab comes to $420 billion with no signs of leveling off. How much confidence can we have in any cost estimates by the White House or Congress?
Another part of the Medicare lie is found in Section 1801 of the 1965 Medicare Act that reads: "Nothing in this title shall be construed to authorize any federal officer or employee to exercise any supervision or control over the practice of medicine, or the manner in which medical services are provided, or over the selection, tenure, or compensation of any officer, or employee, or any institution, agency or person providing health care services." Ask your doctor or hospital whether this is true.
Lies and deception are by no means restricted to modern times. During the legislative debate prior to ratification of the 16th Amendment, President Howard Taft and congressional supporters said that only the rich would ever pay federal income taxes. In 1916, only one-half of 1 percent of income earners paid income taxes. Those earning $250,000 a year in today's dollars paid 1 percent, and those earning $6 million in today's dollars paid 7 percent. The lie that only the rich would ever pay income taxes was simply a lie to exploit the politics of envy and dupe Americans into ratifying the 16th Amendment.
The proposed tax increases that the White House and Congress are proposing will probably pass. According to the Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation, during 2006, roughly 43.4 million tax returns, representing 91 million individuals, had no federal tax liability. That's out of a total of 136 million federal tax returns. Adding to this figure are 15 million households and individuals who file no tax return at all. Roughly 121 million Americans -- or 41 percent of the U.S. population -- are completely outside the federal income tax system. These people represent a natural constituency for big-spending politicians. Since they have no federal income tax obligation, what do they care about higher taxes or tax cuts?
Another big congressional lie is Social Security. Here's what a 1936 government pamphlet on Social Security said: "After the first 3 years -- that is to say, beginning in 1940 -- you will pay, and your employer will pay, 1.5 cents for each dollar you earn, up to $3,000 a year ... beginning in 1943, you will pay 2 cents, and so will your employer, for every dollar you earn for the next 3 years. ... And finally, beginning in 1949, twelve years from now, you and your employer will each pay 3 cents on each dollar you earn, up to $3,000 a year." Here's Congress's lying promise: "That is the most you will ever pay." Let's repeat that last sentence: "That is the most you will ever pay." Compare that to today's reality, including Medicare, which is 7.65 cents on each dollar that you earn up to nearly $107,000, which comes to $8,185.
The Social Security pamphlet closes with another lie: "Beginning November 24, 1936, the United States government will set up a Social Security account for you ... The checks will come to you as a right." First, there's no Social Security account containing your money, but more importantly, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled on two occasions that Americans have no legal right to Social Security payments.
We can thank public education for American gullibility.