Senator Bob Corker said Wednesday in remarks on the Senate floor that the results of Tuesday’s elections in Virginia and New Jersey reflect Americans’ strong concerns with many of the current policy debates in Washington, including health care.
Senator Corker urged his Democratic colleagues to throw the current health care drafts aside and work toward a policy that will stand the test of time.
“I think that much of what the country is in some degree of upheaval about are the policies we are discussing here on the Senate floor and moving through committees," said Senator Corker. "Obviously the major issue of the day is health care reform. I think there has been a message sent to this body by the recent elections that have taken place. I think people across this country are very concerned about the policies that this health care bill would put forth.
“If Republicans had put forth a bill that had the exact same building blocks as the bill that’s being put together in the Senate (by merging the Senate Finance Committee bill with the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee bill), I do not believe there would be a single Democratic vote for that bill. If Republicans had put forth a health care bill that took $400-500 billion out of Medicare to leverage another program, that created an unfunded mandate for states by making states raise their Medicaid levels, that would raise premiums by 60 percent over the next five years, there would not be a single Democratic vote for the bill.
“I’m one of those Republicans that would like to see health care reform. I campaigned on that when I ran for the United States Senate. I’d like to see us do the right thing. I’d like to see us have a policy that will stand the test of time. I would ask my friends on the other side of the aisle to stop what we’re doing right now. Let’s throw this bill aside. You wouldn't vote for this bill if we offered it. You shouldn't vote for it just because your leadership and your president want to see it happen. Let’s step back, and let's do something again that will stand the test of time.”
Senator Corker outlined some of his concerns with the health care bill produced by the Senate Finance Committee.
“A study by Oliver Wyman and sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of America indicates that ‘cluster 4’ states, including Tennessee, would see a 60 percent expected increase in average claims per member. According to data based on the report, current average premiums in Tennessee would increase by $1,619 for individuals and $3,727 for families under reforms contained in the finance bill.
“Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen estimates the finance bill would cost Tennessee $735 million in Medicaid expansion, a huge unfunded mandate that creates a very difficult situation for our state. My guess is that most other states would face a similarly painful situation if these costs are passed down.
“The bill seeks to take $404 billion away from Medicare, which is predicted to be insolvent by 2017, and leverages it to create a new entitlement program rather than using it to make Medicare more solvent. I honestly don't know how Congress has moved from broad, bipartisan concern over Medicare’s nearly $46 trillion in unfunded liabilities — liabilities that threaten our country's financial stability — to now embracing a proposal that would take cuts made to Medicare and use them to leverage a new program to cover the uninsured, rather than putting the funds toward extending the life of Medicare.”