Top priority now: Repeal Obama health care plan
June 29, 2012 12:58PM
Updated: August 2, 2012 10:24AM
Top priority now: Repeal Obama health care plan
I, along with most Americans, am disappointed with the Supreme Court decision. It is now clear that the only way to repeal this law is legislatively.
Thursday’s decision only affirms what we have known all along: the president’s health care plan is a massive tax increase. The president insisted that his health care plan would not cost the American people anything, but that is just untrue. To be clear, this is not a tax on wealthy Americans who already have insurance. This tax hits the 44 million uninsured Americans, who are already struggling and cannot afford to pay more hard-earned income in taxes.
The American people deserve a choice in their health care plans, not government mandates. The president’s health care plan is an unworkable mega-bill that will destroy small businesses, kill jobs, stunt economic growth and bankrupt the nation.
My opponent, Tammy Duckworth, a true tax-and-spend liberal, supports this new tax on the middle class. In fact, not only does Tammy support the president’s current tax-and-spend health care plan, but she is on record supporting a single-payer socialized system. I, however, will make it my top priority to repeal this massive tax increase and the president’s entire health care plan.
As a new member of Congress, I turned down my gold-plated congressional health care plan. Instead, I chose to buy my insurance on the open market, and I know firsthand how difficult it is to find affordable, quality health insurance.
The Supreme Court’s decision has finally ended the debate in Washington. The American people will decide where we get from here.
Joe Walsh
Congressman, 8th District
McHenry
High court ruling a victory for current, future retirees
Thursday was a historic day for Americans of all ages, an affirmation of a law that helps children, workers and retirees obtain affordable health care.
Americans can now live more secure, knowing that their health and well-being are no longer tied to the whims and greed of the big insurance companies.
In our state, because of the Affordable Care Act, More than 144,000 Medicare beneficiaries already have saved a total of $96,216,548 on their prescriptions; 1,353,031 Illinois seniors have received free, life-saving tests for chronic diseases.
But this will be a short-lived victory if Congress does not have the courage to stand up for the middle class. A repeal vote in the U.S. House, scheduled for the week of July 9, will provide an opportunity for lawmakers to show their constituents where they stand.
Thursday was a tremendous victory for Illinois seniors, their children and their grandchildren. But we cannot rest on our laurels. We cannot let politicians roll back the progress we have made.
Barbara Franklin
President
Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans
Unions urge GOP not to repeal law, deny coverage
The Supreme Court has affirmed allowing people access to affordable health care, and this is a core issue to labor.
We’re pleased nobody is going to lose health care because of the decision. It’s an issue of affordable health care for people who can’t afford health care and deserve health care.
While this issue will continue to be used by special interests as a political wedge during this election season, we urge congressional Republicans to abandon their attempts to repeal the law and deny coverage.
Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling makes clear that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional. This is great news for Americans who can now rest assured that they can continue to get their health care benefits. Senior citizens remain safe from the “doughnut hole.” People still can’t be denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions or be thrown to the mercy of insurance companies. Young adults can remain on their parents insurance until they’re 26.
Michael T. Carrigan
President, Illinois AFL-CIO
