August 27, 2009
Mica continues campaign against health care reform plan
By JIM WITTERS
Senior Business Writer
DAYTONA BEACH -- U.S. Rep. John Mica continued his campaign against a proposal to reform health care, telling a group of business people and government officials he objects to the creation of more bureaucracy.
Speaking to more than 100 gathered at Daytona Beach International Airport for the monthly dinner of the Volusia Manufacturers Association, the Winter Park Republican said the congressional bill would hurt small business and cut some Medicare programs.
The House bill "probably would solve some problems" with U.S. health care, but is set up so private insurance plans "cannot compete," Mica said. And the bill would extend coverage to illegal immigrants.
"Nobody could be more for health care reform," Mica said. "But I will not support any benefits to anyone here illegally. That would serve as a magnet to attract more trying to enter the country illegally."
The Obama administration has been refuting Republicans' claims, such as Mica's.
Christina Romer, chairwoman of the Council of Economic Advisers, said it is a myth health insurance reform will hurt small businesses. On the White House Web site, she said reform will ease the burdens on small businesses and help level the playing field with big firms who pay much less to cover their employees on average.
Robert Kocher of the National Economic Council said reform would not be financed by cutting Medicare benefits. To the contrary, he says on the Web site, reform would simply eliminate waste and unnecessary subsidies to insurance companies.
About insuring illegal immigrant, President Barack Obama was quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle Wednesday saying, "This has been an example of just pure misinformation out there. None of the bills that have been voted on in Congress, and none of the proposals coming out of the White House, propose giving coverage to illegal immigrants -- none of them. That has never been on the table."
The dinner was one of several stops Mica is making throughout the seventh congressional district this month. The district includes parts of Volusia and Flagler counties.
His solution to soaring health-care costs and lack of access to care and insurance is to "address liability" through tort reform and reduce Medicare fraud.
High premiums for liability insurance drive up doctors' costs and their fees, he said. "There are many ways to make things better, cheaper and more efficient, and we should do that."
"This country has faced some incredibly tough times and has pulled through," Mica said. "But Congress can't solve all the problems."
jim.witters@news-jrnl.com
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