Earlier this week the Washington Post released a poll claiming that 57 percent of Americans support the Democrat’s so-called “public option.” As you may be aware, this is the government-run health plan currently in H.R. 3200, the House healthcare reform bill. Democrats were thrilled with the poll but a closer look reveals that this study was deeply flawed. The poll was conducted only among “adults,” a population that typically skews liberal. While it may be important to have a general survey, most political opinion polls interview registered voters or likely voters. Additionally, only 20 percent of those surveyed were Republicans, despite the fact that a far greater percentage of the voting public considers themselves to be Republican. Speaker Pelosi is actively using this poll to pressure Democrats who know that the public option puts us on a path to government healthcare for all.

Public Option Could Underpay Doctors and Hospitals

Despite moderate Democrat objections, it appears that Speaker Pelosi is set to support a new government healthcare plan tied to Medicare reimbursement rates. Known as the “robust public option,” the plan could contribute to the rising cost of private insurance. Currently, Medicare reimburses doctors and hospitals at rates 20 to 30 percent less than private insurance. To make up the difference, medical providers raise rates on private insurers who then pass on those costs to individuals and businesses. Starting up a new government program that underpays medical providers could drive smaller insurers of out of business and cause employers to drop private coverage. Millions of Americans could lose the coverage they like and have to rely on a substandard government plan.

Federal Deficit Soars to Dangerous Levels

The federal government deficit is now estimated to be $1.42 trillion for 2009 alone. This one-year sum is greater than all the debt from the first 200 years of the United States combined. It is bigger than the economy of India and almost as large as the economy of Canada. By 2019, we will be spending 15 percent of the federal budget just paying interest on debt. Despite this totally unprecedented level of debt, Congressional Democrats are set to grow government spending by 7 percent this year alone. Minus the budget gimmicks, healthcare reform could grow the deficit by hundreds of billions of dollars more. Clearly, we need to get our debt under control without burdensome taxes that will only hurt economic growth. Democrats complained about Republican spending when in the minority, now that they are in charge they are just digging the hole faster.

SAFE Nuclear Act Picks Up Steam

My SAFE Nuclear Act gained more momentum recently with the addition of Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA) as a cosponsor of the bill. Democrats and Republicans agree that we need to move toward clean energy that ends our dependence on foreign fossil fuels. I believe that nuclear power can help us move in this direction but that the current regulatory process holds back new development. My bill would streamline this process without cutting corners on safety. I’m glad to see some bipartisan support for the bill and I hope that this Congress can take a serious look at cutting through some of the red tape that holds back clean, safe American energy.

Quote of the Week

“The deficit is a bill that we pass to our children and grandchildren in the form of higher taxes, slower economic growth, less freedom, and a lower standard of living. Anyone who isn’t deeply concerned about it is living in La-La Land.”
--Michael Steel, spokesman for Republican Leader John Boehner (OH) on Democratic spending bills.