- According to several polls, the majority of Americans say they would rather not have any health care legislation than see this bill enacted. ("Just 34% Say Passing Health Care Bill is Better Than Passing Nothing," Rasmussen Polls, 12/08/09)
- It had to be negotiated behind closed doors.
- To get the votes to pass it, the Senate voted on Christmas Eve.
- Leadership had to cut Nebraska and Louisiana hundreds of millions in "special deals" to buy their votes while the rest of us pay for it.
- The bill has to rely on budget gimmicks (such as ignoring $250 billion in payments to doctors and taxing people without providing any benefit for 4 years). ("Gimmicks in the Health Care Bill," FactCheck.org, 11/20/09)
- Many governors worry that it will mean financial disaster for already cash-strapped states that cannot afford massive new unfunded entitlements Congress would dump on them.
- It fails to control health care costs or make health care more affordable. (The CBO said in their cost estimate on the legislation.) (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, p. 17)
- Congressional leaders won't risk further debate and examination of the bill. Instead, they will bypass the legislative process and allow only a small, hand-picked group of Members who support the bill to finalize legislation that will impact one sixth of the economy and the health care of every American.
- Middle class families will be hit with higher taxes. ("'Cadillac Tax' in Health Plan Would Hit Middle Class Hard," Politics Daily, 12/17/09)
- It penalizes small construction businesses and is expected to hurt construction jobs and wages in the middle of a housing crisis. ("Health-care bill could hurt small contractors," The San Francisco (CA) Business Times, 12/22/09)
- It still leaves up to 23 million uninsured. (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Chief Actuary Richard S. Foster, Letter, 01/08/10, p. 3)
- It threatens employer-provided care for 17 million people. ("Estimated Financial Effects of the ‘Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009,' As Proposed by the Senate Majority Leader on November 18, 2009." Richard S. Foster, Chief Actuary, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. December 10, 2009, p. 7)
- It cuts Medicare for seniors, leading doctors to stop treating Medicare patients. (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter to Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, p. 10)
- It ignores medical malpractice which drives up costs.
- Some state attorneys general and legal scholars say the bill is unconstitutional. ("State Attorneys General Question Health Care Bill," National Public Radio, 12/25/09)
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News
- Senate Prepares to Pick Up Fight | Roll Call | March 22, 2010
- Big Win for Obama, but at What Cost? | The New York Times | March 22, 2010
- Inside the Pelosi Sausage Factory | The Wall Street Journal | March 22, 2010
