Senator Bennett Response to ObamaCare

Senator Bennett recently supplied this response when asked about his stance on “ObamaCare”.

June 9, 2010 [delivered June 21, 2010]

Dear [Constituent],

Thank you for writing in opposition to the health care reform legislation recently signed into law by President Obama. I appreciate hearing from you and share your frustration and concerns about this irresponsible legislation.

I voted against H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as well as, H.R. 4872, the health care reconciliation package. I am extremely concerned by this government takeover of our health care system. At a time when individuals and families face increasing pressure on their budgets, this last thing they need is increased taxes and higher health care premiums. Heath care reform should ease the burden on American families, not strap them with higher taxes and premiums.

Additionally, I am concerned by the actions of congressional leaders and the president in forcing this legislation on the American people. Throughout the debate, I voiced my concerns, as well as those of my constituents, on the floor of the Senate, in letters to the president and congressional leaders, and in numerous media interviews. Over the past year, I have gone to the Senate floor 12 times to express my concerns about various aspects of the health care reform debate including: my opposition to the use of reconciliation for a health care reform bill; my objection to a government-run health care plan; and my opposition to the middle-class tax increases, Medicare cuts, and expansion of government in H.R. 3590. However, our concerns fell on deaf ears and the majority party forced through  H.R. 3590 and H.R. 4872, and the president signed these bills into law in March.

On March 23, 2010, I, along with 15 of my colleagues, cosponsored S. 3152, a bill to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. I support repealing this bill and replacing it with reforms that actually address the problems in our health care system and that will lower costs. I remain committed to working to repeal this legislation and replace it with market-based solutions that will drive down costs and improve the quality of care.

Again, thank you for writing.

Sincerely,

[signed]

Robert F. Bennett
United States Senator

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