SENATOR COLLINS’ STATEMENT ON PROPOSAL FOR TAXPAYER-SUBSIDIZED, GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE PLAN

U.S. Senator Susan Collins today released this statement following Senator Harry Reid's announcement that health care reform legislation would include a taxpayer-subsidized, government-run health care plan that lets states opt out of participation.

"As I have said consistently, I am opposed to creating a taxpayer-subsidized, government-run health insurance company.

"Depending upon how it is structured, the government run plan could further exacerbate the cost-shifting that already drives up premium costs for consumers. It could also destabilize the private insurance market leading to fewer choices and higher costs."