WASHINGTON (14 July) – U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), representing Florida’s 9th Congressional District, today issued the following statement after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and other Democratic leaders held a news conference to discuss the introduction of their health care legislation, which raises taxes on small businesses and cuts Medicare to pay for government run health care:

“I agree that we need to take action to make health insurance more affordable for all Americans. But I completely disagree with the notion that we should raise taxes and cut health care for seniors to put the government firmly in control of the U.S. health system. We must make certain that while we address the current shortcomings we don’t erode the quality and individual freedom of our nation’s health care system. Instead, we must build upon the high quality care we currently have while expanding access to those who cannot afford health insurance.

“Unfortunately the proposal presented today will do nothing more than drive people into a one-size-fits-all government run system that will shift health care decisions to federal bureaucrats and drive innovation from the marketplace ultimately limiting choices for families. Additionally, proposed Medicare funding cuts will jeopardize the care on which many of the seniors in my district rely.”