On July 15, 2009, Representative Mike Rogers (R-Mich) told the U.S. House of Representatives that Democrats offered a false choice in the healthcare debate.  (Watch Video) Although the majority party (Democrat) has the prerogative to demand that their legislation be considered with no changes (what Representative Rogers refers to as  the “this or nothing” approach), the idea that Republicans have offered no alternatives to the Democrat plan is simply not true.  Republicans have offered three alternatives so far, the “Patients Choices Act of 2009,” produced in May by a bicameral coalition of the U.S. House and Senate; the “Health Care Freedom Plan,” introduced in June by Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC); and the “Empowering Patients First Act,” unveiled in July by the Republican Study Committee, under the leadership of Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.).  In addition to these alternatives, the GOP also unveiled a “Seniors’ Health Care Bill of Rights” on August 24.  Each of these legislations seek to increase the number of Americans who have access to healthcare insurance.  They also decrease healthcare costs without limiting access to care or empowering government officials to make important healthcare decisions in our place.  See the articles and video below for more information.

• Penny Star, “Republicans Have Offered Three Alternative Health Care Reform Bills,” CNS News (August 24, 2009)

• Michael Steele, “Protecting Our Seniors: GOP Principles for Health Care,” Washington Post (August 24, 2009)

Congressman Mike Rogers’ opening statement on Health Care reform in Washington D.C.

Democrats continue to claim that the GOP is lying about their healthcare plan.  Democrats insist that the bills being considered in the U.S. Senate and House will not lead to a single-payer system, even though many Democratic leaders, including President Barack Obama, Represenative Barney Frank, and Representative Jan Schakowsky are on record supporting a government takeover of health care.

Democrats also insist that their plan will not lead to rationing, crowded hospitals, or decreased care, even though similar plans have produced these results in Canada, France, and the UK.  Just today, the UK based Mail Online News is reporting that 4,000 mothers were forced to give birth in elevators, offices, and hospital restrooms due to a shortage of beds.  Another British citizen had his appendix removed twice, after Doctors mistakenly left the infected organ in place during the first operation.