"Our health care system needs fundamental reform," said Senator Collins. "One of my top priorities has been to expand access to affordable health care. The greatest barrier to health care coverage today is cost. Monthly health insurance premiums in Maine have risen at an alarming rate, and now often exceed a family's mortgage payment. Whether I am talking to a self-employed fisherman, a displaced worker, the owner of a struggling small business, or the human resources manager of a large company, the soaring cost of health insurance is a vital concern.
"We must find a way to control the health care costs that have driven up the cost of coverage for families, employers and governments alike. But Senator Reid's proposal falls far short when it comes to reining in the cost of health care. This is a critical issue because the high cost of health care is the biggest barrier for those who lack insurance. My concern is that this bill would actually drive up the cost of health insurance for many middle-income families and small businesses.
"Moreover, at a time when our economy is struggling, this bill would impose billions of dollars in new penalties on employers, which will ultimately be paid by American workers in the form of reduced wages and lost jobs. This just does not make sense, especially at a time when unemployment already exceeds 10 percent.
"I am also troubled that Senator Reid's proposal would create a taxpayer-subsidized, government-run health insurance company which would ultimately lead to fewer choices and higher costs.
"This legislation would cut hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicare, which provides care for our oldest Americans and most vulnerable citizens. These cuts would adversely affect the ability of Maine's hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other health care providers to provide essential services to our seniors. Any savings in Medicare should be used to shore up the financially troubled program.
Senator Collins continued, "I am disappointed that the Senate Democratic Leader has chosen to bring a divisive, partisan bill to the Senate floor when there are many reforms that have strong, bipartisan support that could have been the basis for further debate and amendments. I continue to believe that the American people would like to see a bipartisan bill that brings together the best ideas. That is why I will continue to work with members, on both sides of the aisle who share my concerns, to develop alternatives."