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Healthcare Legislation
I often get e-mails and phone calls from constituents asking for my assistance on federal legislation. I learned a long time ago that even when a bill is before the United States Congress, my constituents expect me to do all that is within my ability to take action either for or against that bill. This letter is an effort to do all I can on a bill likely to be voted on this week by the House of Representatives in Congress.
But I need your help.
Nancy Pelosi has unveiled her healthcare bill in the U.S. House. The bill is 1,990 pages – I have never seen a bill that long. Currently, in the Georgia Senate, we are working on a bill that is “only” 225 pages long. Since it addresses an intricate issue, many of its sections are very complex, with wide-ranging consequences both intended and unintended. The Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee is having numerous meetings on our bill over many months to properly assess the bill. The Pelosi Healthcare bill is longer and even more complex, and they will vote on it after only days.
Personally, I feel the Pelosi bill would have devastating effects on our nation. First of all, how will it be paid for? The most startling aspect I have heard is that the Pelosi Healthcare bill would be paid for partially by cuts in Medicare of more than $400 billion. Folks, if there were really $400 billion of possible cuts to be made in Medicare, don’t you think they would have already put a stop to that wasteful spending? There is no doubt that the Pelosi Healthcare bill will in fact increase our nation’s deficit and thus add to our nation’s debt.
Already the Congressional Budget Office is projecting that by 2012 our national debt will be 70% of gross domestic product. Our nation, our people, and our children cannot afford taking the chance that this bill will increase that debt!
Also, the Pelosi Healthcare bill would force more people to be covered under Medicaid, which is healthcare coverage for the poor. While Medicaid is a federal program, states have to pay a portion of the cost. Currently, Georgia has to pick up 25% (until the stimulus bill passed it was 35%) of the cost for Medicaid. The Pelosi bill would force more people to have their healthcare paid for under Medicaid. That means that Georgia taxpayers would have to use more taxpayer dollars to pay for this program, all without our input!
Our state is already struggling with decreased revenues. This budget year will see our budget decreased by more than 20%. Our state can not afford the Pelosi Healthcare Bill.
I could go on and on about the objections I have to this bill, but it would take a letter too long to read to discuss all the problematic provisions. There are penalties for businesses not paying for insurance plans, there are mandates for personal insurance (which is probably unconstitutional), there are increased taxes on those with insurance, and there is a federal government option (bolstered with the power of taxation) that will compete with the private market to provide insurance.
Make no mistake, this bill is very clearly an attempt at government control over the healthcare system of our nation. Our Founding Fathers would have strongly opposed such an attempt. They knew firsthand how effectively government-controlled things work. That is why they established a LIMITED government. This bill in no way reflects the principles that guided our Founding Fathers when they established our great nation.
I care about people having access to healthcare, but there are much better ways of addressing the issues with the system. The Pelosi Healthcare Bill is the wrong way to go.
This is where I need your help. I need for you to contact the Speaker’s Office at 202-225-0100 or e-mail the Speaker using the form on http://speaker.house.gov/contact/ and let your voice be heard. And before you think your call or your e-mail won’t matter, please consider what Thomas Jefferson once said: “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.”
Please do not be silent today. Freedom requires an ever-vigilant effort by its people. While I will not be able to vote on this bill, I am doing all I can to promote what is in the best interests of the people I represent. Please join me for the sake of our nation and our children.
If I can help by providing any details or answering any questions, please e-mail me at mail@mitchseabaugh.com .
Thanks for your input and support.
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CAPITOL OFFICE