Ninth District Congressional Candidate Todd Young made the following statement on the deal reached by Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee on legislation to overhaul the U.S. health care system.

Paoli, IN – ‘Blue Dog’ members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee have cleared the way for national health care.  The legislation they have endorsed is terribly flawed.  I agree that we need to insure millions more Americans and make health care more affordable.  But this hurried legislation will drive costs higher, decrease choice, and turn our health care decisions over to government employees.

Americans understand that we have to get this right, and they’re paying close attention.  National polls show that people are growing increasingly concerned with Congress’ massive health care bill.  This House agreement will cost taxpayers nearly $1 trillion over a ten year period, and will penalize small businesses who are unable to pay for employee coverage.

Worse still, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her Blue Dog allies propose to finance national health care through an ill-advised 5.4% “Job Tax,” which will be passed on to workers. The pay or play scheme will end up hurting the very low-wage workers it is supposed to help.  Job losses will follow.  During tough economic times, this punitive legislation is not the answer.

And the centerpiece of the House agreement is a new government-run insurance program that will “compete” with private insurers – at least, for as long as private insurers continue to exist in America.  Under this scheme, private insurers will discover that government plays by its own set of rules.  In the end, Americans will be left with fewer health care choices, and Washington will dictate what treatments Hoosiers are eligible to receive.

There is a better way.  We need legislation that will make health care more affordable without raising taxes.  We need inexpensive improvements without a complete overhaul.

Instead of centralizing control over health care in Washington, Congress should look for ways to give Americans more choices through private insurance while improving the overall efficiency of health care delivery.

Create a uniform tax treatment for all Americans who pay for health insurance, regardless of the size of their employer.

Market-based solutions always work better than centralized government control.  Government intervention in the private market is not the answer to health care reform.

Editor's Note: This press release was received courtesy of Jill Burleson.