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Pelosi Calls Health Care Bill Historic; Edwards Will Read It, Carter Rejects It
Central Texas Congressman Chet Edwards said Thursday he plans to read “every word” of the nearly 2,000-page House health care reform bill that was released earlier in the day in what House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called an “historic moment,” but Congressman John Carter says it’s essentially the same bill the public rejected in town hall meetings this summer.
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8 Comments 
WASHINGTON (October 29, 2009)--A vote is likely in the House next week on the health care reform plan put forward Thursday by Democratic leaders and that means Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, has a lot of reading ahead of him.
Edwards issued a statement late Thursday afternoon in which he reiterated his promise to read “every word” of the 1,990-page bill before making any decision about whether to support it.
“As I review the bill, I will focus on whether it would reduce health care costs for families and businesses, protect Medicare for seniors and whether it is paid for,” Edwards said.
“I will oppose any bill that results in a socialized health care system, increases the deficit or undermines the quality of our private health care system,” he said.
Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock, already has an opinion about the bill, however, which he says is essentially the same legislation that the public rejected in town hall meetings this summer across the country.
“The bill doesn’t reform healthcare. It redistributes the nation’s wealth and expands government control over working Americans,” Carter said in a statement issued Thursday evening.
“They will now attempt to pass this within a week, before opposition can organize,” Carter said.
“Conservatives in Congress cannot allow that to happen, and truly patriotic Americans who turned out en masse in August to defend their freedoms need to turn out again,” he said.
The bill was crafted in accordance with President Barack Obama's preferences, for the most part.
Federal subsidies would be available to millions of lower-income individuals and families to help them afford health care policies, and also to small businesses as an incentive to cover their workers.
Pelosi said Thursday Congress is "on the cusp" of making affordable, quality health insurance available to every American.
Officials say once it's fully phased in, over several years, it would extend coverage to 96 percent of Americans and would also create a new government-regulated insurance "exchange" where private companies could sell policies in competition with the government.
Democrats said the bill would cost less than $900 billion over 10 years and would be financed by a combination of cuts in Medicare spending and an income tax surcharge of 5.4 percent on individuals making at least $500,000 annually and couples making at least $1 million.
Latest Comments
Old Chet is like a little lap puppy when it comes to Nancy, he want's to sit in her lap. So he will do what ever she says, he will not listen the majority of his voters, so let's oust him in the next election.
yes and Edwards will do the old vote for it then against it routine..
It may all sound wonderful to have every CITIZEN covered, but please people, find out what is REALLY in the Bill, not just what sounds good. Use some common sense and try to see the pros and the cons. This Bill will, in my opinion, slowly turn into complete Govt run Healthcare. Judging by what Nette said, 8-10 YRS behind plus the recent and continuing prob w/getting the GOVT ISSUED Swine Flu Vac out to the people, why would you want to turn YOUR health over to the Govt? Katrina, probs w/VA, w/our Schools. Medicare...CUT MEDICARE to cover the cost of Govt Ins? HUH? Best thing to do would be to FIX whats broken in HC Ind. CUT out the deadbeats on Medicaid, Medicare, let Ins Co sell across State lines to be more competitive, CUT TAXES. Are YOU prepared to be on the Govt HC? Even if you have it thru your work, they will throw you over instead of paying more taxes and penalties. Small businesses? Taxed/fined if they dont do what Govt says. BIG GOVT is NOT the answ! PLS WAKEUP!!
