March 21, 2010                                                                                   
Contact: Pete Peterson, (215) 990-8928

Meehan Disappointed by House Passage of Senate Health Care Bill

Concerned by bill’s raising of taxes on middle class; forcing people out of current plans; increasing premiums; job losses; and continued increases in health care costs

DREXEL HILL, PA – Pat Meehan, the Republican candidate for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 7^th Congressional District, expressed disappointment today with the House of Representatives passage of the Senate-passed health care bill.

“Democrats have rammed through the House of Representatives by the slimmest of margins legislation that raises taxes on the middle class and represents a government takeover of 17 percent of our nation’s economy,” said Meehan.  “It is a bad bill that needed to be filled with corrupt backroom deals – paid for with our tax dollars -- to secure a bare majority of support.  Health care reform legislation should stand on its merits, something this bill did not.”

Meehan noted that other major pieces of legislation such as bills establishing Social Security in 1935 and Medicare in 1965 received overwhelming bi-partisan support, with votes of 372-33 in the House to establish Social Security and 307-116 to create Medicare and Medicaid. 

Meehan also raised concerns about physician surveys indicating that this bill could result in severe doctor shortages throughout the country, with nearly one-third of doctors stating they would look to leave the health care industry if this legislation becomes law, which could result in a serious decline in the quality of care and access to care.  (Source: The Medicus Firm Physician Survey: Health Reform May Lead to Significant Reduction in Physician Workforce).

“My wife is a nurse practitioner, and I’ve heard first hand how critical it is that we improve our health care system,” said Meehan.  “This bill is not the answer.  It will jeopardize millions of jobs, force people out of their existing plans, increase premiums, raise taxes on the middle class, cut Medicare for seniors, and raise taxes.”   

Last week, Pat Meehan released his comprehensive platform on health care reform, which is available on his website at www.meehanforcongress.com.

About Pat Meehan

A former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the former District Attorney of Delaware County, Pat Meehan has a proven record of rooting out government waste and corruption, prosecuting tough criminal cases, and implementing innovative new programs to make our communities safer.  As U.S. Attorney, Meehan helped coordinate the region’s terrorism preparedness and response, held manufacturers responsible for illegally discharging hazardous materials into the region’s waters, and established a group to crackdown on predatory lending.  Pat, his wife Carolyn and their three sons Patrick, Jack and Colin, reside in Drexel Hill, Delaware County.   For more information, please visit www.meehanforcongress.com.