Smith Applauds Bredesen Health Reform Cost Review

HIXSON, October 7 – Third District Congressional Candidate Robin Smith today expressed appreciation for the review Governor Phil Bredesen’s administration conducted of the potential cost to Tennessee under the health reform plan proposed in the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.

According to the KnoxvilleNews Sentinel, Governor Bredesen estimated the cost to Tennessee if the democrat plan is approved to be $735 million and stated the cost could reach as high as $1.18 billion.

“Tennesseans owe a debt of thanks to Governor Bredesen on this issue,” Smith said. “Regardless of our party, all Tennesseans want the best for our state and have watched with concern as state tax revenues have failed to meet projections for several months. To add the unfunded mandate of cost-shifting the price of reform onto the states is irresponsible policy.  In the House, the plan was to pay for health reform by slashing Medicare coverage for our seniors. In the Senate, it seems the plan is to cut Medicare and place the burden for paying the cost of Barack Obama’s takeover of healthcare on the states.

Despite our partisan differences, Governor Bredesen has been consistent in his efforts to educate Washington on the impact of unfunded mandates and he is to be applauded for his position. Cost shifting is not reform. Congress should move to address areas of agreement in health reform hat will help bring more people into the free market system, reduce costs, increase choice, and end the influence of frivolous lawsuits. Members of Congress should stop looking to the states as their budgetary parachute.”