Thompson Reads Health Care Bill

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Representative Glenn `GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, today joined his Republican colleagues in a group effort to read the almost-2000-page Speaker Pelosi Health Care Bill, H.R. 3962. The bill has more than a $1.2 trillion price tag and cuts basic programs like Medicare and Medicare Advantage to help pay for it.

“The bill has 111 new boards, commissions and programs that we have been able to count so far,” said Thompson. “They include the National Medical Device Registry and a Special Inspector General for the Health Insurance Exchange. That is full employment in Washington, D.C., but the bill is a job killer for small businesses.”

For example, on Page 297, section 501 imposes a 2.5 percent tax on all individuals who do not purchase exchange approved health insurance. The tax would apply on individuals with incomes under $250,000 thus breaking a central promise of President Obama’s campaign to not raise taxes on this group.

On Page 313, section 512 imposes an 8 percent tax on jobs for employers that cannot afford to purchase exchange approved health insurance. According to Harvard Professor Kate Baicker, such a tax would place millions at substantial risk of unemployment. Small businesses, which employ just over half of all private sector employees, would be hit hardest.

“During this time of economic downturn we should be finding ways to support our small businesses to help grow the economy and reduce unemployment, instead of pulling the rug out from under them,” Thompson said.

“I am supporting the Republican alternative that will end junk lawsuits by enacting medical liability reforms modeled after the successful state laws of California and Texas. Our plan gives small businesses the power to pool together and offer health care at lower prices, just as corporations and labor unions do. It allows Americans to buy insurance across state lines to increase competition. It allows dependents to remain on their parents’ policies until the y are age 25. The cost of these measures is almost zero. No jobs are lost, and no taxes are increased,” said Thompson.

The Republicans were only able to get through a small portion of the bill in the four hours they allotted to the task.

You can read H.R. 3962 here.

e-mail from Tina Kreisher, Thompson's Communications Director