Last November the American people made it clear that they wanted Congress to focus on revitalizing our economy and creating jobs. Many of us had spent the previous two years telling the Democratic leadership in Congress just that. They did not listen. Now, it appears the new Republican leadership is turning the same deaf ear to the voice of the American people.
Rather than opening this new Congress by looking forward and finding answers to our economic challenges, we are beginning by looking backward with an effort to completely repeal the health insurance reform bill passed in 2010.
While I did not support that legislation, I also do not support the political theater playing out around its repeal in the House. This vote simply continues the divisive nature of our political discourse and does nothing to address the needs of American families and businesses.
By opening Congress with this effort, and immediately creating a toxic partisan atmosphere, we are also making it more difficult for any bi-partisan efforts to reform the law in a targeted, thoughtful, and positive manner. For example, I have joined a bi-partisan group of Members sponsoring legislation that would repeal the onerous 1099 reporting requirements placed on small businesses.
However, full repeal of the healthcare law would also mean the loss of many positive effects of the law supported by Democrats and Republicans, including: the ability of parents to maintain coverage for their children until the age of 26, the closing of the Medicare prescription drug benefit donut hole so more seniors can afford all the medications, and preventing the denial of coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. It is not just wrong, but immoral to take those things away.
Additionally, this repeal effort introduces more uncertainty into our economy, further slowing recovery.
Nationally, repeal would do nothing to reduce the cost of healthcare nor would it do anything to reduce our national deficit. On Main Street, repeal efforts simply create more uncertainty, pausing small business growth and further depressing consumer confidence at this critical time.
The American people, regardless of political affiliation, expect Congress to get things done and face the very real challenges ahead of us, not refight the battles of yesterday. Our energy should be spent working to reduce the overall cost of healthcare and improving our economy by creating jobs and providing incentives for companies to bring their business and employment opportunities back to America.
While we may differ on thepaths we think we should take, we must remember that at the end of the day we are all walking forward together, as Americans.
