They Did and We Are

House Chamber, Washington, D.C. April 27, 2010. M. Speaker:

During the recent health debate, the Speaker ominously said, “We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.”

They passed it. And now we’re finding out what’s in it.

They told us it would keep costs down. Now they admit health costs will soar by $311 billion, increasing to 21 percent of GDP by 2019.

They told us if you like your plan, you can keep it. Now they admit seniors on Medicare advantage could lose their plans. Companies that offer health plans to their employees and retirees are considering dropping them.

They told us it would be good for the economy. Now they admit employers were correct to downgrade their earnings by billions of dollars that ultimately will come out of employee’s wages and benefits.

This issue is not going away. It will continue to plague those responsible until they replace it, or until they, themselves are replaced.