Area Congressional politicos vote; Express views on National Health Care.

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Benishek, Camp Vote to Repeal Health Care Act, Kildee Opposed

Three Democrats Join GOP Majority in Attempt to Kill the Legislation

January 23, 2011
By: Dave Rogers

Dr. Dan Benishek, new Tea Party Republican Member of Congress representing part of Bay County, fulfilled his promise to vote against health care legislation.

Congressman Dan Benishek (MI-01) made the following statement today as the U.S. House of Representatives voted to repeal the Heath Care Law passed by the last Congress:

"Dr. Benishek Fulfills Campaign Promise By Voting For Repeal--

"I spent over thirty years as a surgeon and I worked closely with patients to provide care and earn their trust.

"Full of hidden costs and red tape, the law over regulates and limits patient choice.

"We need to repeal this bill, start over, and craft health care legislation that puts patients first."

The repeal vote was led by Rep. Dave Camp, Midland Republican, who said:

"This is all about the government," said House Ways and Means Chairman Camp, a leading voice for repeal. "It's Washington knows best, and it's wrong,"

Another member representing part of Bay County, Rep. Dale F. Kildee, joined the Democrats in voting "no" against repeal.

Congressman Kildee said the law must be built upon and improved, not torn down, and that repealing the law would have damaging impacts on families in Michigan?s 5th Congressional district and across the country.

Congressman Kildee released the following statement:

"Today, I voted against repealing the historic health care reform legislation because I believe it would take our country backwards and hurt American families.

"As I said when we debated this legislation last year, it was not a perfect bill but it was an important step in the right direction. Like many legislative landmarks it will likely require continued updates and improvements to best serve our country. "But what we need are thoughtful and conscientious improvements to this law, not a repeal that would bring back a broken health care system that left nearly 50 million Americans without health insurance.

"Indeed, repealing the health care reform would have damaging consequences for families and small businesses in my district. Repealing the health care law would allow insurance companies to once again deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, affecting up to an estimated 278,000 individuals in my district, including 37,000 children. It would eliminate health care tax credits for up to 11,700 small businesses and increase prescription drug costs for 7,100 seniors who hit the 'donut hole.'

"That is why groups like AARP, AFSCME, the American Heart Association, the United Autoworkers and the Catholic Health Association have all come out against this repeal. So let?s join together and come up with ways to improve this law, not tear down what has already done much good for thousands of American families. I look forward to continuing that work."

The final vote was 245 for repeal, 189 against. Three Democrats voted with the Republicans to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act of 2010.

Three Democrats, Dan Boren, Oklahoma, Mike McIntyre, North Carolina, and Dennis Ross, Florida, joined the Republicans to vote for repeal.

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