Rep. Cantor Fears Democrats Will Do Things Democrats Have Never Suggested They Will Do

May 11, 2009 4:44 pm ET

In a May 11, 2009 statement, Rep. Eric Cantor said, "it remains to be seen whether Speaker Pelosi and her allies in Congress will alter their course for a government takeover of our healthcare system that takes decisions away from patients and threatens the timely access to the high quality care that Americans are accustomed to." However, there is absolutely no proof that Democrats are on such a course, and leading members of the Democratic Party have not only expressed opposition to an entirely government-run health care system but have also been in support of competition and patients' rights.

Rep. Cantor Imagines The Democrats Are On A "Course For A Government Takeover Of Our Healthcare System..."

Rep. Cantor: "While we are encouraged that the President appears willing to reform and build on the nation's healthcare system, it remains to be seen whether Speaker Pelosi and her allies in Congress will alter their course for a government takeover of our healthcare system that takes decisions away from patients and threatens the timely access to the high quality care that Americans are accustomed to." [RTTNews.com, 5/11/09]

...In Reality, Democrats Have Consistently Supported A Public Option That Will Provide The Private Sector With Healthy (Capitalist) Competition

House Democrats Are Committed To A Public Health Care Option Which Will "Spur Competition Within The Insurance Industry." The Hill reported: "[Majority Leader] Hoyer indicated that House Democrats are committed to including a public plan option in their bill. 'We believe that a public option clearly is going to be necessary' to provide consumers with an alternative to private insurance and to spur competition within the insurance industry, Hoyer said." [The Hill, 3/26/09]

Speaker Pelosi Is Looking For A Public Option To Make Private Insurers More Competitive. According to Bloomberg: "House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the House this year will consider health-care legislation including an option for a government-run program that would compete with insurers. 'This is a big agenda, and I believe it should have a public option in it for it to be really substantial,' Pelosi told reporters at her weekly news conference in the U.S. Capitol. Pelosi said the Democratic-controlled House will be 'aggressive' in its approach to a health-care overhaul, which is a centerpiece of Obama's agenda. She said a government role in health care will help U.S. companies be more competitive." [Bloomberg, 3/26/09]

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer Wants Health Care Reform To Be About "Both Controlling Costs And Expanding Access." In a statement on health care issued on May 6, 2009, Hoyer said: "The healthcare debate must be about both controlling costs and expanding access. In fact, a focus on controlling costs is what will help us pass healthcare reform. But while expanded access will on its own help reduce unnecessary expenses, it isn't a magic bullet for controlling costs; other options for doing so include electronic medical records and comparative effectiveness research." [Hoyer.House.gov, 5/6/09]

Senate Democrats Have Proposed That Public Health Care Should "Comply With All The Rules And Standards That Apply To Private Insurance" To Insure That Private Insurance Can Compete. According to the New York Times: "In an effort to defuse the most explosive issue in the debate over comprehensive health care legislation, a top Senate Democrat has proposed that any new government-run insurance program comply with all the rules and standards that apply to private insurance. The proposal was made Monday by Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York, the third-ranking member of the Senate Democratic leadership, in a bid to address fears that a public program would drive private insurers from the market." [New York Times, 5/5/09]

The Administration Advocates For Health Care Reform That Will "Reduce Long-Term Growth Of Health Care Costs For Businesses And Government." According to the White House: "The Administration believes that comprehensive health reform should: