Before the expected healthcare vote by the US House of Representatives, Governor Donald L. Carcieri once again urged Representatives James Langevin and Patrick Kennedy to vote against the legislation, citing the adverse consequences the proposal will have on Rhode Island taxpayers, seniors and the economy.
In the letter, the Governor cites the staggering costs of the healthcare legislation, “Over many decades, excessive spending at all levels of government, an aging population, a declining workforce, and the lack of political will to responsibly reform our entitlement programs have combined to create great risk for future generations of Americans. Our children and grandchildren are already facing the daunting prospect of overwhelming levels of debt and high taxation. All of this will be made far worse if the legislation before you becomes law.”
The letter also discusses the impact on the state’s budget. “Rhode Island faces a staggering debt of more than $400 million in Fiscal Year 2011. If Congress enacts a new entitlement program – one that pushes more unfunded mandates on states – it will make that problem significantly worse, perhaps impossible, to overcome. Tens of thousands of people will be added to the Medicaid rolls in Rhode Island, costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.”
The Governor also cited concerns with how the process has occurred, with sweetheart deals and with no involvement with the nation’s governors and the lack of transparency throughout the debate. The U.S. Senate version of the healthcare legislation includes several state-specific special interest deals that were negotiated to garner swing votes, “specifically the so-called “Cornhusker Kickback,” the “Louisiana Purchase,” provisions to exempt Florida’s seniors from some of the Medicare cuts that Rhode Island seniors will face, and funding Connecticut’s new teaching hospital. Some in Congress, perhaps after hearing from the voters, claim that Congress will undo state specific deals, but claim the “Louisiana Purchase” and other sweetheart deals fall outside that umbrella. Suffice to say, the people have good reason to be skeptical.”
“At a recent meeting of the National Governors’ Association, my fellow Governors and I participated in a discussion about state efforts to reform the health care and health insurance systems. From disease management to delivery system reform, state leaders spoke of success stories. Governors asked to participate in the White House summit on the topic of health care just days later, but the invitation never arrived.”
The letter continues, “This bill is not about health care. It’s about ideology and special interests. The President promised transparency, yet no one has the opportunity to read the bill before it is voted on.”
Governor Carcieri also cites concerns that the legislation reverses the Hyde Amendment that prevents taxpayer funds from being used to pay for abortion. “Regardless of attempts to disguise the issue, the simple fact remains that a vote for this legislation is a vote to spend taxpayers’ money to terminate the lives of unborn children. For many, this is shameful, disgraceful and immoral and will violate the consciences of many Rhode Islanders.”
The letter concludes, “I believe that if you allow this legislation to pass, our state and nation will be taken further down the road to fiscal calamity, our seniors will end up with inferior health care, and our healthcare system will continue to be broken. It is my fervent hope that you will vote against this misguided piece of legislation and vote for your state, taxpayers and seniors.”
News Release: Office of the Governor
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