WASHINGTON   –  U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) will oppose H.R. 3962 when it is voted on in the U.S. House of Representatives as soon as this weekend.  The 1,990-page bill has drawn criticism from Democrats and Republicans, and it contains 118 new government boards, bureaucracies, commissions and programs at an estimated total cost of at least $1.1 trillion over ten years.

“I’m very sorry there isn’t a better product on the table, because we have clear areas of agreement on where we could have worked together to lower costs and improve access to the system.  This bill doesn’t reflect the changes we need to see in our health care system,” Emerson said. “It’s too big, too expensive and too bureaucratic to effect a positive change – especially in rural areas where access issues are very real.  We need more technology, more health care professionals in rural communities, and concrete savings on the medical expenses – like prescription drugs – that are causing family budgets to capsize all over Southern Missouri.”

In the House bill, Emerson also disagreed with the inclusion of a public insurance option that, according to estimates, could force 114 million Americans out of private plans. 

“Far and away the biggest problem with this bill is the cost.  The few ways in which the bill does try to pay for itself place a huge new tax burden at the feet of Americans at every income level,” Emerson said.  “I read the bill: this legislation actually says that if you don’t go out and get insurance you can go to jail.  We should be helping people who have a tough time affording their health insurance, not punishing them.”

According to the Congressional Budget Office analysis of H.R. 3962, the lowest-cost family non-group plan would cost $15,000 in 2016.  Tax increases on capital gains and dividend income would hit senior citizens on fixed incomes who generally experience the highest out-of-pocket medical expenses of any demographic group.

Furthermore, Emerson says, the bill is back-loaded with spending.  Although the proposal’s revenue-raising provisions and tax increases would take place almost immediately, new insurance options would not be available until the final six years of the bill, when 99 percent of the spending in it takes place.

“The writers of this bill, behind closed doors, passed up so many opportunities to achieve savings without cutting benefits to people on Medicare or in private coverage today – it’s a real shame we don’t have a better product to debate and to vote on in the Congress,” Emerson said.

Emerson also noted the bill breaks a promise from congressional leaders and the White House that health care legislation would be revenue-neutral.

“The surtaxes on small businesses and high-income Americans total more than $460 billion.  That’s money right out of our economy and into the coffers of big government, and it’s a major reason why one former Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors says this bill could cost 5.5 million American jobs.  This bill is completely wrong for Southern Missouri and for our American economy,” Emerson said.

In addition, H.R. 3962 would force cash-strapped states to take on $34 billion in additional Medicaid spending over the next ten years.

Emerson said between the stimulus bill, cap-and-trade legislation to create new surcharges on energy and the House health care bill, congressional leaders have their priorities wrong.  “Job creation has never been more important to Americans than it is today.  We are at a real economic crossroads, but instead of boosting our economy we are engaged in these discussions about policies that are killing American jobs.”