Boehner Endorses States’ Rebellion Against a Gov’t Takeover of Health Care
Source: House Republican Leader John Boehner
Jan 15, 2010 - 6:52:46 PM
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WASHINGTON, DC – House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today expressed strong support for an effort gaining momentum in state legislatures nationwide to oppose Washington Democrats’ government takeover of health care and opt-out of its burdensome mandates.
Lawmakers in 26 states already have, or will, introduce legislation to outlaw any mandate that individuals must pay a new tax if they don’t have “government-approved” health insurance. This endeavor is being spearheaded by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a non-partisan organization made up of reform-minded state legislators. More states are expected to follow suit and introduce similar bills in the days and weeks ahead – all part of a grassroots effort to defeat this bill before it harms our economy and undermines the health care of every American.
“With our focus squarely on defeating a government takeover of health care, this growing rebellion in the states is yet another indication of strong grassroots opposition to Washington Democrats’ plans,” Boehner said. “All the burdensome mandates, tax hikes, and new layers of red tape Democrats are devising behind closed doors would wreak havoc on the states, so it’s no surprise a majority of them are already fighting back.”
The 26 states where opt-out legislation has been introduced include Boehner’s home state of Ohio, in addition to Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
“When we see so many reform-minded state legislators standing with the American people against Democrats’ government takeover of health care, we’re even more convinced that fighting this bill with everything we’ve got is the right thing to do,” Boehner added. “Congressional Republicans will continue to lend our full support to this effort and look forward to having additional states come on board.”
Last year, Leader Boehner joined Reps. Mike Rogers (R-MI) and Devin Nunes (R-CA) in establishing the GOP State Solutions project as part of an ongoing effort to partner with reform-minded governors, state officials, and legislators and promote better solutions to the challenges facing the American people.
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