WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Candice Miller (MI-10) made the following statement in response to President Obama’s health care address to Congress: 

“The words in the speech the President gave tonight were a strong defense of his health care plan.  But more important than the words the President spoke are the words that are actually in the bill before Congress. 
 

“I find it disturbing that the President would discount the valid concerns voiced by countless Americans during the August recess as people trying to score short term political points.  The Americans that I talked to during August and who have called or emailed me over the last few months are concerned about what is actually in the legislation we are considering because they had read the bill.  Many are concerned that we are going to leave an incalculable debt to our children and grandchildren.  Others are concerned that they will be forced into a government plan that will lower the level of care for their families.  Seniors that rely on Medicare are concerned about the draconian cuts the program will take which would inevitably lower their level of care.  Doctors and health care providers are concerned that the legislation does not address medical liability reform which forces too many doctors to practice defensive medicine and drives up costs.  Job providers and small business owners are concerned about new taxes being proposed that will make it difficult for their business to thrive and create new jobs.  These questions are not being asked by people hoping to score cheap political points they are valid and vital concerns of American citizens that must be addressed.
 

“I agree with the President that is important that Congress act to reform health care, but we must do it right.  We must not increase the burden of debt on our children and grandchildren.  We must not lower the level of care for seniors on Medicare.  We must enact liability reform not once again kick this can down the road as the President suggested tonight.  We must ensure that no person is denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition or lose their coverage simply because they get sick.  And we must not enact job killing tax increases that will make it more difficult for our economy to recover.
 

“If the President and Congressional Democrats are willing to work honestly with us on these issues then I stand ready to get to work.  But I will stand against a government takeover of our health care system that will bury future generations under a mountain of debt and put people’s health coverage at risk.  It is my hope that the President and Congressional Democrats will actually back up their words of bi-partisan cooperation with real action.”