WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is arguably closer than any past president to achieving health care reform. But on Capitol Hill, House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., made clear their stance against any reform that even hints of adding to a national deficit, cutting Medicare benefits or raising taxes.
McConnell and Boehner criticized the Democrats’ bill as being a step toward “government-run” health care, claiming that it would raise premiums and force Americans without insurance to switch over to a government plan.
“The federal government will stack the deck in favor of the government plan, there will be no competition amongst health insurance providers,” said Boehner.
A hot topic at today’s conference involved President Obama’s proposed $250 emergency reimbursement checks for seniors and disabled. Boehner and McConnell support this measure, as long as the money comes from the stimulus.
In the wake of private meetings held by the president’s Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to craft the final version of the legislation, Boehner called for the release of the bill to the public 72 hours prior to a vote, something Obama promised during his campaign.
“The president ought to keep his promise to the American people and open this process up,” said Boehner.