Rep. Foxx: Americans "Deserve The Freedom To Choose The Health Care That Is Best For Them" (But Not The Public Option)
Despite what they say, Foxx and other Republicans are more interested in preserving the status quo than allowing people to choose the health care that works for them.
Speaking on the House floor this morning, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) attempted to lay out the Republican vision for health care reform. After repeatedly bashing the Democrats' desire for a "government takeover" of health care Foxx concluded by declaring: "The American people deserve the freedom to choose the health care that is best for them and their families."
Of course, Foxx and other conservatives believe that Americans "deserve the freedom to choose" the best health care for them unless they choose the public plan. Foxx made that clear in her statement, which was full of Frank Luntz-issued talking points, including a remarkable four in one sentence:
A government takeover of health care will raise taxes, ration care, and let government bureaucrats make decisions that should be made by families and their doctors.
But as President Obama reiterated in remarks to the American Medical Association last month, the public option is all about giving the American people more choices:
Again, this is for people who aren't happy with their current plan. If you like what you're getting, keep it. Nobody is forcing you to shift. But if you're not, this gives you some new options. And I believe one of these options needs to be a public option that will give people a broader range of choices -- (applause) -- and inject competition into the health care market so that force -- so that we can force waste out of the system and keep the insurance companies honest.
Unfortunately, Republicans are more interested in preserving the status quo than allowing people to choose the health care that works for them.
Read Foxx's full statement:
As the American people struggle to make ends meet, too many also live with the challenge of affording basic health care for themselves and their families. Republicans want to make high-quality health care coverage affordable and accessible for every American, and let those who like their current health care coverage keep it. Republicans support health care reform that puts patients and their health first, and protects the important doctor-patient relationship. Democrats are pushing for a government takeover of health care that would have devastating consequences for families and small businesses. A government takeover of health care will raise taxes, ration care, and let government bureaucrats make decisions that should be made by families and their doctors. Republicans want to empower doctors and patients by making health care more affordable, more accessible, and more accountable. The American people deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing they have the health care their families need when they need it. We can not allow politicians and special interests to stand between patients and the care they need. The American people deserve the freedom to choose the health care that is best for them and their families.
