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Rep. La Tourette's remarks on tonight's passage of the health reform bill

Published: Sat, November 7, 2009 @ 11:44 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette of Bainbridge Township, R-14th, tonight issued this statement after the vote on H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. The measure passed 220-215; LaTourette opposed the bill. His seven-county district includes all of Geauga, Ashtabula and Lake counties, and portions of Trumbull, Summit, Portage and Cuyahoga counties.

“Most, including myself, truly wanted transformational health care reform that reduced costs, took care of folks without insurance, made sure people with pre-existing conditions can get coverage and all have access to world class care. That's why I introduced my own bill, written by the doctors of this country, and am saddened that the Majority Party pushed through a bill that missed this opportunity to enact a political statement.

This massive, bloated bill is a job killer that’s paid for on the backs of seniors, small businesses and the middle class and will saddle our country and future generations with obscene debt. If you like the insurance you have, don't get too attached to it. If you like your current benefits and premiums, enjoy them while they last.

This bill is supposed to reform health care and help the uninsured, but it does so much more, and not in a good way. This bill is a grab bag of dozens of bills and pet proposals that have lingered unpassed. If you’re worried about the nutritional content of the bacon bits at the salad bar, this bill’s for you. The bill will require nutritional information to be displayed in chain restaurants, and on salad bars. If you’re losing sleep because you don’t know how many calories are in the Doritos in the vending machine, this bill’s for you. Labeling in vending machines is on its way.

If you’re an animal lover and you’re worried that your veterinarian can’t afford his student loans, this bill’s for you. It actually contains a provision that provides student loan forgiveness for, yes, veterinarians. The bill includes $283 million a year for this, and $100 million a year for combating Medicare fraud. The bill won’t let you buy insurance across state lines and does nothing to crack down on lawsuits, but it looks after those who will never treat a single sick human being, insured or not. The bill also has a provision to roll back tax breaks on biofuels, which have no place in a health care debate. Americans who will foot the bill for this budgetary train wreck deserve better. A staggering 5.5 million jobs could be lost if this becomes law.

This bill must be very close to perfection. A total of 216 amendments were offered to improve this bill, and only two were allowed. This bill has its priorities all wrong. It is filled with hollow, false promises, like you can keep your health care if you like it, and seniors will not be harmed. If the bill is such a winner, why are members of Congress not required to get their insurance through this plan? Health care reform is needed, but this is not the way to achieve it.”


Comments

1Read blog valleyred (453 comments)posted 13 days, 4 hours ago

It will not pass the Senate.

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2 marauder (5 comments)posted 13 days, 3 hours ago

Maybe he could screw another lobbyist!

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3 Jbreed2011 (10 comments)posted 13 days, 1 hour ago

We can only hope it won't pass the Senate. I have never been more afraid of what the government is doing. Send people to jail who decide it's a better decision to not have health insurance?.... not cool

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4 d1eggman (4 comments)posted 12 days, 21 hours ago

What middle class? the Republicans have pecked away at that till there is not a middle class. Don't vote for anymore lobbyist cronnies. What? fall for more trickle down bull. While they load up to send jobs to the port for shipping

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5 SkyKing310B (98 comments)posted 12 days, 15 hours ago

I wish we had a Congressman like La Tourette in our 6th & 17th districts who actually listen to the voters!

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6 Tigerlily (24 comments)posted 12 days, 15 hours ago

I'm glad we don't have a Congressman like La Tourette in our districts. Remember, SkyKing, you're not the ONLY person who lives here. And others disagree with you, much as that may seem hard to believe since you're living in the echo chamber of your own mind, where obviously EVERYONE agrees with you.

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7 SkyKing310B (98 comments)posted 12 days, 8 hours ago

@Tigerlilly-What gives you the right to direspect me? I did not attack you, I only expressed my opinion! If you disagree- fine, that's your right, but it does not give you the right to attack others for their opinion!

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8 Tigerlily (24 comments)posted 12 days, 6 hours ago

It's not an attack, just an observation that you claim to speak for all of those in your district, when obviously you don't.

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9 SkyKing310B (98 comments)posted 12 days, 6 hours ago

I may not speak for all the people in my district, but if you read the other posts, You are in the minority. Most of the people wanted the problems fixed which did not mean the complete gov't take over the house shoved down our throats. You will kindly note that the bill only passed by 3 votes so 39 members of the majority also listened to their constituents and voted accordingly.

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10 Jessiedavid (99 comments)posted 12 days, 6 hours ago

SkyKing,
There are many of us who also "wish we had a Congressman like La Tourette in our 6th & 17th districts who actually listen to the voters!"

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11 SkyKing310B (98 comments)posted 12 days, 6 hours ago

@Jessedavid-

Steve LaTourette is a great congressman. Iv'e spoken to him several times when helping clients with problems. He is very caring and promptly addresses the issues. Additionally, He follows up to see that the matters were resolved.

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12 Jessiedavid (99 comments)posted 12 days, 5 hours ago

SkyKing, Steve LaTourette has an excellent reputation, and it's not surprising you've added to that fact.

Our Country is in fatal condition, and we desperately need more leaders like Steve LaTourette.

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13 SkyKing310B (98 comments)posted 12 days, 5 hours ago

We certainly do Jesse!

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