Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, in my district, I am often asked do I think health care reform will pass this session. My answer is always, I certainly hope so. The status quo should be unacceptable to everyone.
However, Speaker Pelosi's reform proposal is not the right reform. Our overriding principle should be first ``do no harm.'' Unfortunately, in my humble opinion, Speaker Pelosi's proposal will do significant harm.
Just two examples: The Speaker's proposal seeks to cut funding from Medicare by over $400 billion, making access to quality health care more difficult for our Nation's senior citizens. Second, it raises taxes on small businesses, making it more difficult for employers to cover their employees with health insurance.
There is a better way. The Republican alternative is about lowering the cost of health care for all Americans, about ensuring the portability of health insurance, and ending the denial of health insurance due to preexisting conditions. Remember, first do no harm. END
