Smith Comments on Pelosi Health Care Takeover Bill

HIXSON, OCTOBER 29 – Third District Congressional Candidate Robin Smith issued the following statement in response to today’s unveiling of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s health care reform bill:

“With the release of her plan, Speaker Pelosi drew a clear bright line between the liberal leadership of the House and the American people. Time and again during the August recess, Americans asked representatives of both parties to focus on solutions in health care that will lower costs, increase access, limit the damage of frivolous lawsuits and do no more harm to the exploding federal deficit. We asked the leadership to look for solutions that will not turn over 1/6^th of the economy to government bureaucrats and force a government-run “public option” on the American people.

Today, Speaker Pelosi delivered her 1,900 page answer.

I am disappointed that calls for common sense reform have been ignored in the House bill. It’s clear the liberals in Congress have no interest in listening to the voices of Americans on this issue. In Tennessee I have called for the expansion of Health Savings Accounts, new methods of utilizing health department clinics and regional buying groups that will allow small businesses the opportunity to join together and increase their purchasing power. I have been clear that we must have frivolous lawsuit reform to keep attorneys out of exam rooms. I have called for Members of Congress to stand first in line to place themselves, their families and their staff members under any government run plan they approve. “Opting-Out” should not apply to Congressional elites who want to keep their private plans.

By contrast, Paula Flowers has declared the Senate version of health care reform is not liberal enough for her taste. With her statement yesterday that the Senate “Opt-Out” provision for states is a “cop-out,” she made it clear that she will support Nancy Pelosi’s government takeover of our health care system, slash benefits to seniors, increase taxes and place the government between Tennesseans and our doctors. In a struggling economy, our small businesses cannot afford the burden of additional federal mandates that will result from the Obama/Pelosi plan.

I call upon Ms. Flowers to make clear to the voters of Tennessee’s Third District if she will stand with us or stand with Nancy Pelosi in her drive to seize control of America’s health care system.