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Pence - The Democrat Compromise for Government-run Insurance is More Government-run Insurance

Pence: The Democrat Compromise for Government-run Insurance is More Government-run Insurance

SEPTEMBER 17, 2009

Washington, DC - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, made the following statement today about the Democrats' newest healthcare proposal in the Senate:

"Yesterday Democrats in the Senate unveiled a much-anticipated new compromise on health care reform. And, as my late father used to say, ‘Here comes the new guy... looks a lot like the old guy.' The compromise for government-run insurance is more government-run insurance.
 
"But I rise this morning to draw particular attention to a proposal in the compromise that would force Americans who don't have health insurance to buy it. Under the proposal, everybody would be forced to buy government-approved policies. And if you didn't, families could face tax penalties of $3,800 per year, individuals $950 if they don't comply.
 
"Well, none other than candidate for President, now President Barack Obama, opposed such mandates. He said in a primary debate in January of 2008, ‘You can mandate it but there's still going to be people who can't afford it. If they can't afford it, the question is, what are you going to do about it?'
 
"And more memorably, the President said on CNN's American Morning in February of 2008, ‘If a mandate was the solution, we could try to solve homelessness by mandating everybody to buy a house.'

"Mr. President, couldn't have said it better myself. The President is right, mandates are not the answer. Let's scrap this government-run insurance plan and work in a bipartisan way to lower costs without more government, more mandates, and more taxes."

NOTE:  To view the remarks online, click here.

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For Additional Information

Contact Matt Lloyd or Mary Vought at
(202) 226-9000 or matt.lloyd@mail.house.gov