113Tidbits: Letter From Sen Lemieux On Healthcare Debate

Throughout the health care debate, many experts have voiced concerns over the problems with the health care reform bill introduced by Senator Harry Reid (D-NV). We have heard concerns and warnings from Floridians as well as economists and members of the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. Now, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services - the agency administering Medicare - has released a report warning that the Democrat plan increases health care costs, "jeopardizes access to care" for seniors, raises insurance premiums, and will result in as many as 17 million Americans losing their coverage.

Most alarming, the report also warns of "plausible and even probable" health care shortages, particularly for seniors and Medicaid patients. Florida has the highest per capita population of seniors in the nation. This plan weakens Medicare instead of strengthening the program.

I have talked with Floridians from Pensacola to Miami and without exception, people are concerned about this bill's proposals to raise taxes, increase health insurance premiums, and cut access to quality care. Citizens tell me they want Congress to scrap this proposal and start over. I agree. We cannot afford the government we have, much less the government this bill seeks to create. We need to be smarter about approaching health care reform and target those areas where we can reduce costs and expand access to health insurance.