Buchanan attacks president's 'costly' health care plan
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ENGLEWOOD A standing room only crowd of more than 250 people came in from the brilliant sunshine Friday to the darkened Tringali Community Center just to hear Rep. Vern Buchanan rip President Barack Obama's health care plans again.
The Republican from Longboat Key hammered home the same message he's consistently carried through 12 town hall meetings: Raising taxes will harm small businesses and the president's health care ideas are dangerously expensive.
"With an unemployment rate of more than 10 percent, the worst thing Congress could do is raise taxes on small businesses and create a government-run health care program," Buchanan said. "Yet that is precisely what would happen under the health care bill that recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives."
Buchanan asked the crowd if they thought Obama's plan should be passed. The crowd called out "No."
"I think it's too big of a risk, too big of a gamble," he said.
Buchanan, however, was in the minority in voting against against House Resolution 3952, Obama's 10-year $1.2 trillion health care bill. He voted against the health bill, he said, because it would raise taxes, cut Medicare benefits for seniors, expand government control of health care and balloon the federal deficit.
"This health care bill would increase taxes by $740 million," Buchanan said. "This eventually will result in higher taxes for middle-class families."
His message resonated with many in the crowd.
"We're angry," said Steven Witt, a small business owner in Englewood. "We pay for our insurance now. I'd rather pay for what I'm getting than have the government insurance."
"People aren't hiring because they're worried about what the taxes will be to pay for health care," said his wife, Megan Witt.
Obama's bill would force small business owners to provide insurance or pay an 8 percent payroll tax if unable to do so.
Individuals are not exempt from complying with Obama's health care plan. They would be forced to pay a 2.5 percent tax or face penalties ranging from five years in prison to fines of up to $250,000 if not enrolled.
Additionallyy, Florida's 30,000 seniors enrolled in the Medicare Advantage Health Care Plan would lose benefits after Obama's plan trimmed $150 billion in spending just for this state alone.
High-income individuals are to be tapped with a 5.4 percent surcharge for anyone making more than $500,000. Buchanan said this would soak the small business owner primarily.
Buchanan said he has a better plan. He would increase competition by allowing insurance to be sold across state lines, establish high-risk insurance pools to cover pre-existing conditions and limit frivolous lawsuits.
Buchanan said the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates his plan would lower premiums by 10 percent or $5,000 and reduce the federal deficit by $68 billion.
"That's a plan America can afford," Buchanan said.
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