October 29, 2009The Honorable Ted StricklandGovernor, State of OhioOhio StatehouseColumbus, Ohio 43215Dear Governor Strickland:Our nation is facing unprecedented times, and decisions made in Washington will have a lastingeconomic impact on the citizens of Ohio. During these days of difficult economic hardships and recordunemployment, it is vital that as state leaders we address the most pressing concerns of all Ohioans andsmall businesses to help move this state in the right direction.The fed
eral government‟s
health care proposal is a growing concern for Ohio House Republicansbecause of the detrimental economic consequences it will have on the quality of life in our great state.While our state budget continues to face ongoing revenue problems, accepting additional spendingmandates from Washington will
punish Ohio‟s
families and push even more jobs out of our state.It is our belief that by supporting this health care overhaul, we will be accepting higher insurance rates,increased government spending and more government control. In effect, we will be taking away every
Ohioan‟s choice to have the personal freedom of choosing the health care coverage that most
appropriately fits their needs. Furthermore, the federal health care plan will severely limit smallbusinesses from the flexibility to provide the most appropriate health coverage for their employees.
According to the Columbus Dispatch (“Senate health
-
care bill to have „public option,‟” 10/27/09), youstated: “If the final bill has a
public option, and I hope it does, I will certainly resist efforts to have Ohio
opt out of that. As governor, I would encourage my fellow legislators not to take such action.”
These aretroubling statements that cannot responsibly be financially supported, and we urge you to reconsider
your recommendation for Congress‟s
health care plan. A number of other governors across the countryhave spoken against the proposal, because they recognize the devastating results it would have on theresidents of their states. Currently, 17 governors have already voiced their opposition because the plan
does not respect the states‟ individual budget challenges
, and House Republicans urge you to do thesame.The U.S. Senate
‟s
version of the health care bill would add nearly
800,000 Ohio residents to the state‟s
Medicaid roll. An increase in enrollment of this magnitude would cause Medicaid costs and state taxesto certainly skyrocket. The National Conference of State Legislatures has estimated that a Washington-controlled sys
tem would cost Ohio‟s families
$922 million of their own tax dollars during the first fiveyears.In fact, although the states would initially receive startup money from the federal government to institutethe plan, the financial support would eventually have to be paid back over time by the state. As a result,every year
Ohio‟s taxpayers
would most likely be handed a $1.2 billion bill, as well as higher insurancerates for their families. Keeping in mind that Ohio is already facing a severe budget shortfall, we wouldnot be acting responsibly by adding to our growing budget deficit through this proposal.
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