On the recordMarch 21, 2010
At the outset, let me be very clear: I support health care reform. I just do not support Speaker Nancy Pelosi's version of health care reform. With respect to controlling costs for New Jersey's families, changing insurance company practices and making coverage more available to more Americans, the status quo is simply unacceptable. We can, and we must, do better, but not at the expense of millions of American families who are worried about a government takeover of their health care decisions! With that said, the health care package before the House today is wrong on both process and policy. On process, the American people know instinctively that a change as historic as this will only be successful with full engagement of the American people and bipartisan support in Congress. However, from the beginning, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid adopted a `go-it-alone' strategy and refused to consider Republican ideas in any significant way. Indeed, the Majority today is even refusing to listen to the very valid concerns of the American people. In addition, this legislation, and all the versions that preceded it, were drafted behind closed doors at the White House or in Capitol backrooms, with no transparency whatsoever as to which organizations were participating and benefitting!
