U.S. Rep. Bill Posey on Repeal Vote

U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, applauded the 245-189 vote Wednesday to repeal the federal health care law passed last year.

Here is his statement on the bill from the House floor:

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for the bill before us, HR 2, which would repeal the health-care reform law that was enacted last year.While we need to address shortcomings in our nations health-care system, this law is the wrong prescription and that is why I am a co-sponsor of HR 2.

Prior to the passage of this new law, the American people were told that if they liked their current health care plan, they could keep it. However, shortly after its passage, the administration issued regulations finding that nearly half of all workers would lose their current health care plan and be required to sign up for one of the new plans authorized by the government.

Its a system that mandates that every American buy government-approved health insurance or pay a fine, which a Virginia court ruled recently as unconstitutional. The approach outlined by the new health-care law limits choices and phases-out other options to health coverage such as health savings accounts, which are enjoyed by some 8 million Americans.

The American people were told that passage of this legislation would lower health insurance premiums by $2,500 for the average family. However, health insurance premiums have continued to rise, and studies indicate that the new health-care law is contributing to these increases. This bill also fails to guarantee that federal tax dollars will not be used to pay for elective abortions.

The American people were told this new health-care law would stimulate job growth. But this 2,000-page bill has created more uncertainty and raised the cost of doing business in America.Imposing new mandates and higher taxes on small businesses continues to hamper our economic recovery and slows job-creation. Repealing this law will provide greater certainty.

Finally, in my view this bill is fiscally irresponsible.The cost of this law continues to climb. During the House floor debate on this bill last year, I stated that the overall costs of the legislation were being underestimated by more than $500 billion. That is proving to be the case as the hidden costs of the bill continue to be uncovered.

Mr. Speaker, we have a national debt of $14 trillion and rising. Our federal budget situation is fiscally unsustainable, and if we dont make tough choices now, we will saddle future generations with a mountain of debt that can never be repaid. It is time to face the reality of our budget situation and that includes recognizing that the real cost of this health care law will far exceed our ability to pay for it.

While everyone can point to various aspects of the new law that they support -- including me -- I believe that the best way to move forward is to start anew and replace the current law with one that preserves individual choice and economic freedom, directly tackles increasing costs and allows Americans to keep their current health care plan if they like it. And lets do so in a fiscally responsible manner."