House passes healthcare reform bill HR 3962 by a 220-215 margin

November 9, 10:16 AMJacksonville Republican ExaminerPatrick McMahon

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 Late Saturday night, the House of Representatives passed the Democratic healthcare legislation by a narrow 220 to 215 margin. Republicans were unanimously united against the legislation, with the exception of Congressman Joseph Cao (R-LA), and picked up 39 Democratic votes against the legislation. This is easily the largest and most important piece of legislation to come out of the House of Representatives since the social programs of the 1960’s. And as I have said previously, it is an awful bill.

The bill now moves to the Senate, where it faces an uncertain future. President Obama has urged Democrats to pass the bill by Christmas so he can sign it, giving him something to campaign on in 2010. However, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said that the Senate will not have timetables and the debate may continue on through the New Year. The Democrats in the House, with the exception of the 39 defectors, showed no backbone or independence with their vote for HR 3962. The Senate, however, functions differently than in the House. Every Senator does not do what their party mandates and often takes independent streaks, designed to help their reelection prospects. I can promise you that there are several moderate Democrats that will not fall in line behind President Obama and his big government agenda. You can expect to see Blanche Lincoln, Mary Landrieu, Ben Nelson, Evan Bayh, Joe Lieberman, and potentially a few other unknowns oppose a public option plan in the final Senate bill.

Big government, as I have railed time and time again, is not the correct answer for solving our nation’s problems. Putting that philosophy difference aside with liberals, the cost of a healthcare reform bill is astronomical. There will be higher taxes and increased deficits if this legislation is finally approved. No one can deny that the insurance companies, who will be taxed in order to pay for the new legislation, will raise their rates on private insurance policy holders. The average American will have to pay higher costs under this current proposal, which is a fact. It is also unconstitutional for the government to REQUIRE every person to have health insurance, under penalty of a $250,000 fine or 5 years in jail. Health insurance should be a choice that people can make on their own, without government mandates. A search of HR 3962 shows that the word “shall,” which is the government’s way of interfering in your life, is used 3424 times in the 2000 page bill. Young Americans and those who are wealthy should have the right to decline health insurance. They may feel that they are in peak physical condition or they may have the money to pay the bills without insurance. Regardless, it is their right to do so.

In response to the piece that I wrote on Friday, I said in that that I do not currently have health insurance and it is my choice as to whether I want to or not. Well, the response to that was critical, which is fine. I stand by what I said. It is my choice. I don’t expect ANYONE to pay my medical bills. I will pay them; the American people should not pay for ANYONE’s medical bills. Under this plan, even if you support it, you will be paying for people’s care and everyone forgets the illegal immigrants who will continue to get free healthcare in the emergency room. The government has no right to mandate that someone has to get health insurance, especially because it is an intensely personal issue. Take down the state barriers, allow free market competition, limit malpractice claims, and cut fraud. That is the answer to the healthcare issue in this country. Not some half wit plan that forces people to get insurance, raises taxes on everybody, increases the deficit, and will ultimately turn out like every government program.