Washington, DC- Ways and Means Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI) and Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Wally Herger (R-CA) today made the following statements on President Obama’s remarks on moving the Democrats’ government-run health care bill forward through reconciliation:

CAMP: “The American people have rejected the Democrats’ health care bill because it spends too much, taxes too much, increases premiums too much and increases the deficit too much. Adding a few watered down Republican proposals does not change that fundamental problem.  We need to scrap this bill and start over with a common-sense, step-by-step approach to comprehensive health care reform. That starts by reducing costs for the American people and employers – something the House Republican bill does. Unfortunately, the President’s and Congressional Democrats’ plan increases their health care costs.

“I am disappointed that Democrats are moving ahead with the nuclear option. Big social policy changes should have bipartisan support and the support of the American people – this bill has neither. But as bad as the process for moving this bill is, the policy and its impact is far worse.”

HERGER: “It’s a different day but the same story. The President’s remarks today continue to reflect how tone deaf the White House is to the will of the American people. The Administration and Congressional Democrats’ continue to race toward massive spending and a health care plan that the people know only makes things worse. President Obama should listen to what Americans have been telling him for months and start over on health care reform that will actually lower costs and improve quality of care.”

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