“Going forward, I don't know how Democratic congressional leaders make any progress toward a bipartisan bill when they’re wedded to the plan the President put out this week, which is basically the same as the bills passed last year by the House and Senate. The grassroots opposed those bills because they would raise premiums more than they would have gone up already, increase taxes, jeopardize job creation, create a new expensive entitlement program, and rob Medicare.
“The very threat of the higher taxes and new regulations is hurting economic recovery right now because small businesses, which create most of the new jobs, know they could face new expenses with both health care and climate legislation. It doesn't make any sense right now for Washington to make it harder for the private sector to create jobs.
“There are a lot of things that Congress can do to fix health care problems without upending the whole system and hurting the economy. I'd like to see congressional leaders focus on those areas where there is broad-based agreement, rather than a politically driven agenda on health care that would make things worse, not better.
“Congress should pass common sense medical malpractice reform to stop wasting so much money on defensive medicine, end pre-existing condition exclusions and waiting periods and empower consumers to shop around for health care and lower costs with competition, just like with other services we buy. Congress should make market reforms that help small businesses and the self-employed access affordable health insurance.”