Harper – Bipartisan health care bill must include GOP proposals
On Jan. 6, I cast my first vote in the U.S. House of Representatives in support of John Boehner of Ohio for Speaker of the House. This vote would ultimately become Nancy Pelosi’s first victory of the year and a preview of what Republicans might expect as the minority party in the 111th Congress.
Immediately after Republican Leader Boehner presented the gavel to Speaker Pelosi, she addressed the House. Two statements from this speech still echo through my head as we discuss action on how to reform our nation’s health care system.
First, Speaker Pelosi said, “Without reservation, let us stand together, not just today, but in the days ahead…” Second, she urged members of the House: “Let us listen to each other. Let us respect every voice and every view, and then together, let us act.”
On July 14, the House Democratic leaders introduced their health care reform proposal. Provisions include a tax increase of more than a half-trillion dollars on American small businesses and working families, as well as a tax on jobs up to 8 percent of employers’ payrolls. In addition, this bill is bad for the state of Mississippi. The legislation creates an unfunded mandate for states by expanding the Medicaid program to all individuals earning up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level. States are already having difficulty funding their current Medicaid programs.
Read more by U.S. Rep Gregg Harper
Clarion-Ledger
10/18/9
Magnolia Tribune
