PA GOP Touts News of Mike Kelly Declining His Gov’t Health Plan, Will They Encourage Other Republicans to do the Same?

PA Dems Invites PA GOP to Join Call to Encourage GOP Reps to Reject Government Health Care
 
Harrisburg, PA – Last week, the Pennsylvania Republican Party touted news that Rep.-elect Mike Kelly would turn down his federal health plan on the Republican Party’s Facebook page (see screenshot below). It appears the Pennsylvania Republican Party agrees that Republican members who railed against government health care should turn down their federal health plans upon entering office.

“The Pennsylvania Republican Party should immediately join our call for Pat Toomey, Pat Meehan, Lou Barletta, Tom Marino and Mike Fitzpatrick to forgo their taxpayer subsidized, federal health insurance plans – the same type of quality care they want to deny the American people,” said Mark Nicastre, a spokesman with the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. “The Pennsylvania Republican Party was quick to highlight news of Mike Kelly turning down his plan, so let’s create some more news clips. We invite the Pennsylvania Republican Party to join us in calling on Pat Toomey, Pat Meehan, Lou Barletta, Tom Marino and Mike Fitzpatrick to reject their federal health insurance plans.”

Mike Kelly is the only new member of the Pennsylvania Republican delegation who has turned down his federal health plan. Other Republicans including Pat Toomey, Pat Meehan, Lou Barletta, Tom Marino and Mike Fitzpatrick railed against health reform that would ensure that Americans get the same insurance as members of Congress, but now are eagerly accepting the same type of quality health care that they want to deny to their constituents and the American people.

The Pennsylvania Republican Party touts news that Mike Kelly will turn down his federal health plan.

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Pat Toomey (PA)

Toomey Called For The Repeal Of The Healthcare Bill. Pat Toomey was interviewed by RCP and was asked about whether or not Republicans should try to repeal the healthcare bill, he said: “Look, I support repeal of the health care bill. I support repealing it and replacing it with the kind of reforms that will lower costs and improve access and give individuals more control and more ownership of their healthcare — of their health insurance and their healthcare generally. That’s what I support. I want to move in that direction. As to tactics, I mean if there is an opportunity to move that ball down the field, I’m going to support it.” [Real Clear Politics, 8/17/10]
 
Pat Meehan (PA-7)

Meehan: We Need To Reform Our Health Care System But “The Recently-Passed [Health] Care Legislation Is Not The Answer.” “Pat Meehan supports a range of health care reforms designed to reduce premiums, lower health care costs, increase access to affordable health care insurance, prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage of individuals with pre-existing conditions, and a range of other initiatives. As the husband of a nurse practitioner, he knows that our current health care system is in need of reform and that health care costs are skyrocketing out of control. In many cases, those costs are being passed on to local residents in the form of changes to their health insurance plans, including higher co-pays, increased premiums, and increased prescription drug costs. But the recently-passed care legislation is not the answer. It will jeopardize millions of jobs, force people out of their existing plans, increase premiums, cut Medicare for seniors, and raise taxes. Pat Meehan believes we can reform the health care system without these negative impacts.” [Meehan For Congress]
 
Michael Fitzpatrick (PA-8)

Fitzpatrick Called For Repealing Health Care Reform. Mike Fitzpatrick, joined by two doctors and Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn on Tuesday, called for repeal of the health care legislation passed earlier this year by Democrats. “More and more, the ugly truths of Obamacare are coming to light,” Fitzpatrick said outside the office of Dr. David S. C. Pao, a Levittown ophthalmologist. “The bill contains 19 new taxes, fees and cuts to existing programs. Everything from medical devices to real estate sales to existing health plans are taxed to pay for this plan. “This is a tax bill, not a health care bill. It does nothing to increase the quality of care.” [Intelligencer, 9/22/10]
 
Tom Marino (PA-10)

Marino said he would repeal health reform. “Marino called for a repeal of the health care reform bill…He noted that members of Congress should not receive any better health care coverage than average citizens. [Sun Gazette, 10/24/10]
 
Lou Barletta (PA-11)

Barletta Said Repealing Health Care Reform “Will Be The First Order Of Business.” Congressman-elect Lou Barletta said his top priority next year is to overturn health care reform. The newly elected U.S. representative for Pennsylvania’s 11th District and the Republican mayor of Hazleton handily defeated 13-term incumbent Democrat Paul Kanjorski on Tuesday. It was the third time the two had faced off for the congressional seat, which covers a five-county area including all of Monroe County. “That will be the first order of business, repealing health care reform and replacing it with things that make health care more affordable,” Barletta told the Pocono Record on Wednesday. [Pocono Record, 11/4/10]

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