Miller-Meeks: Middle-class to bear cost of health reform

In the wake of Senate Democrats passing a health-care reform bill, 2nd District Republican congressional hopeful Mariannette Miller-Meeks is warning that its crushing costs will fall on middle-income families in Iowa and across the nation.

 “The bill approved will benefit insurance companies at the cost of the taxpayer and ordinary working, middle-income Iowans and Americans,” the Ottumwa ophthalmologist said. “It does not bend the cost curve down or control escalating health care costs. It will increase health insurance premiums. Despite its tremendous cost, it does not provide universal coverage and, even more importantly, it fails to provide portable insurance for individuals so they're able to keep their insurance coverage as they go from one job to another or one state to another.”

 Miller-Meeks noted that Rep. David Loebsack, a Mount Vernon Democrat, voted for the House version that will be the basis for negotiations with the Senate as the two chambers work to cobble together a compromise bill early in 2010.

  “If there's ever a time when David Loebsack should listen to his constituents and support representative democracy, this is it,” Miller-Meeks said. She encouraged residents of the 2nd District to call on Loebsack to vote against the bill on final passage.