Scalise and Colleagues Introduce Amendment to Force Members of Congress to Join the Government Plan

Washington, DC -- Congressman Steve Scalise today joined several of his colleagues in announcing an amendment to Speaker Pelosi’s health care bill that would force all Members of Congress and all Senators to enroll in the government plan if it passes. Speaker Pelosi introduced her latest version of a government takeover of health care last week, and she plans to bring it up for a vote as early as Friday.

“The Pelosi health care bill could force millions of Americans to lose their current coverage and be forced onto the government-run plan, but there are hypocritical Members of Congress who want to impose this on the American people, but want to exempt themselves from the government plan,” Scalise said. “I am strongly opposed to Speaker Pelosi’s government takeover of health care, but she and her liberal lieutenants should put their money where their mouth is and be willing to enroll in the same health care plan they’re trying to force upon millions of Americans.”

Scalise joined Reps. John Fleming (LA), Rodney Alexander (LA), Joe Wilson (SC), Wally Herger (CA), Phil Gingrey (GA), Roscoe Bartlett (MD), Jeff Flake (AZ), Dean Heller (NV) and Scott Garrett (NJ) to introduce their amendment.

Recently The Wall Street Journal called the Pelosi bill “the worst bill ever,” and criticized the bill’s “epic new spending and taxes, pricier insurance, rationed care, [and] dishonest accounting.”

Scalise supports common-sense health care reforms, including HR 3400, that would solve the problems that exist without destroying the things that make the United State’s medical care the best in the world.

The common-sense reforms Scalise supports will do the following:

• Provide more affordable and accessible health care for families by lowering the cost of health care.
• Remove the barriers for those who have been denied coverage based on pre-existing conditions.
• Lower health care costs and end frivolous lawsuits by enacting comprehensive medical liability reform.
• Provide portability so people can take their health care coverage with them if they change jobs.
• Allow small businesses and organizations to pool together so they can get the same buying power as large companies.
 

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Contact: Luke Bolar
202-226-4309