STATEMENT ON HEALTHCARE BILL FROM JAMES WHITE, CANDIDATE FOR TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 12
Apparently, the year-long adventure to pass “landmark” federal health care legislation has ended. The Democrat-controlled Congress passed this legislation without any Republican votes, support from pro-life Democrats, and popular support. This is a step toward further government invasion and control and does little for true reform of our health care finance and delivery systems that does need to be addressed.
So why is this important to the Texas Legislature? First, members of the state legislature take an oath to abide by the United States and Texas Constitution. Across the nation, states have enacted legislation exempting them from this new federal health care program and attorney generals across the country are ready to go to court over the constitutionality. I applaud Texas Attorney General Abbott for his commitment to challenge this federal encroachment.
Two, in my discussions with medical professionals, nurses and doctors, in East Texas, they have stated that this is bad policy that will increase costs, but not improve quality, results or the rapid departure of doctors leaving the profession. In East Texas, we have a shortage of medical providers already.
With the prospect of the government taking over the medical care industry and the talk about limiting the money spent on medical care (that is, the pay of medical professionals), I have noticed fewer of the best and brightest of my high school seniors willing to devote a significant number of their young years to medical study.
Three, this legislative district has a prominent medical presence in Lufkin, Texas, which is a key player for medical care and research for all of East Texas. East Texas needs more medical care, not more government health insurance. Doctors and nurses do medical care for people and patients. Government bureaucrats administer insurance programs.
Four, local and county officials in State House District 12 have stated that they believe that this national health care plan will eventually become another unfunded mandate that will fall on their already strapped budgets. It will force them to raise taxes, divert funds from public safety and create more bureaucracy.
Five, the national government debt has already exceeded $10 trillion. This year alone, the federal budget will amass a $1 trillion deficit. We do not have the money. We are spending the money of Americans not yet born. These debt levels mean higher taxes right now that will go to Washington, D.C., and then to bondholders in Asia and Europe. That is less money that will stay here in East Texas paying for our roads, schools, and police. High debt levels mean higher interest rates, which means that school boards in Angelina, Tyler, San Jacinto, and Trinity counties will have a more difficult time finding favorable bond rates for the next generation of building construction. Higher interest rates will slam the door on the homeownership dream for young adult East Texans.
Six, the passage of this health care legislation is pure arrogance of power. Members of Congress have exempted themselves from this law imposing the law’s onerous taxes and regulations on East Texans. The federal government, deeply in the red financially, will try to fund this law anyway.
Now, this health care debate began about getting insurance coverage to the few million Americans that needed affordable insurance and medical care. Instead, it has developed into 2,200 page law that increases the IRS and raises taxes. Immediately, the Texas Legislature must pass legislation to exempt our state from this unconstitutional legislation. Then elected officials need to work with medical professionals and patients in East Texas to find better ways to increase and improve service. We are in the 21st century, and like education, transportation, and energy, medical care is another area that needs reform. Every year government spends more on health care and if that was the cure we would not need this debate.
With health care, we need to promote liberty. In East Texas we need to look at ways to provide incentives for more of our smart young people to pursue a career in medicine, not a bill of discouragement.
I urge Governor Rick Perry to call a special session of the Texas House and Senate to pass legislation to nullify this legislation immediately.
As a candidate for Texas House District 12, I will stand firm to protect the rights of our district and state against encroachment from the federal government.
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