WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts made the following statement on the Reid Health Care bill:

“I voted against the Reid Health Care bill because it will raise taxes in a struggling economy, cut Medicare by half a billion dollars and do nothing to reduce the costs of health care for hardworking Americans. And finally, it will not ensure that all those in need have access to care.

“The bill was written behind closed doors, chalk full of backroom deals that favor certain states over others in a blatant effort to buy votes with taxpayer dollars. All to pass legislation a majority of Kansans fear will threaten the quality and cost of their health care.

“Worse, the bill uses budget gimmicks -- taxing us now while promising huge benefits. Well, there is a catch, folks -- the benefits won’t kick in for four years but the taxes, fees and fines start when the President signs the bill.

“Now the Senate must merge this bill -- with in my view, an even worse House bill. And again the bill will disappear behind closed doors – a shameful process that makes a mockery of open and representative government.

“I said before this bill was like an old socialized medicine pick-up with a lot of barbed wire wrapped around the axle. Well now the Majority wants to sell it to the American people like a shiny new F150.

“There will be a lot of serious problems that are going to endanger the health care we have in Kansas.

“I am particularly concerned with the cost, problems with access to care, rationing of care and enforcement by the Internal Revenue Service.

“Now we will have a lot of work to do to prevent and fix the damages that will endanger our health care. To do that we need to get back to bipartisan cooperation. I seek your advice and help.”

Senator Roberts is a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. He is Co-Chairman of the Senate Rural Health Caucus.

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