'Historic Moment' or Disaster?

" But first I'm Jamie Colby good evening everyone I'm in for Greta Van Susteren it happened the big unveiling of the house health care bill. And it was a big unveiling House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the democratic leadership rolling out. This 2000 page bill speaker Pelosi calls the bill. Complete with a government run public option and historic moment. House minority leader John Boehner he calls it a monstrosity. He went on the record."

" Let me start by asking you your impressions -- this announcement today the speaker of the house saying that this is affordable healthcare for all Americans can America afford this."

" The speaker Pelosi is 1990. Page bill I was gonna raise the cost of health insurance for most American families. It's gonna raise the cost. Of health insurance new mandates new taxes. I think it's just that's a monstrosity. And it's exactly what the American people been telling the congress for months -- that they don't want. Do they don't want government control -- health care and that's exactly what this -- public government run health plan was mentioned."

" How much closer did we come today to a government run health care plan and how different would have Republican proposal have bit."

" Well if you look at their plan is not just the so called public option. That's there to compete with private insurance companies. And I used to run a small business. Can compete -- people -- private sector but I could never compete with the government. They have no -- capital they write all the rules they set the premiums and what's gonna happen is gonna drive every private health insurance company out of business. Republicans have much bit better ideas I think that would take the current system and make it work better. Over the coming days you're gonna hear an awful lot. About the specifics. Of what we would do to lower the cost of health insurance in America. And really do this in the step by step gradual process."

" Steny Hoyer took the podium as well and said this is the most transparency he's seen in his 45 flashier career. How transparent why is it and how much of this happened behind closed doors were -- surprises for you today."

" The president promised that all those would be out in the open. The speaker promised several years ago that no more writing bills and in them in the back rooms in the dark of night. Yet this bill over the last several months has been put together. In a dark room with a handful of people and no one until today has gotten a chance to see it. It's 1990. Pages speaker blows his health care bill was. It's gonna take us while we're -- hopeful. That the American people take -- the time to read this bill was well because it is it's nothing short. The complete government. Takeover of our health care system."

" The 1900. Or so pages will be available online for 72 hours and was that a step in the right direction do you think -- those who represent us will actually take the time to read it."

" Well that the bill was already on line. What the majority leader has committed to is that any amendments. That big name it want to make of this would be available for 72 hours online as well. And so five what we've all expect to see this bill on the floor of the house. Until probably late next week. -- so there's little flood time for people to take a look at this from begin to understand it and trust they were pouring through this as we speak. -- trying to make sure that we understand every bit of this bill. I know you're concerned that there will be higher taxes as a result that there could be less jobs can you explain those concepts and how you know at this point that's the case. Well if you look at the employer mandate. -- if your employer that has over 500000 dollar payroll annually. So you either have to provide health insurance under their proposal or you pay an 8% tax to the federal government. Many employers pay more than 8%. -- to cover the cost of their employees health insurance. Some of them all of them are gonna have to have their plans Reeve reviewed by the federal government to make sure that they're quote adequate. Many employers -- just gonna give up. They're -- Get rid of their employer provided health care plans pay the 8% tax. And though let their employees still fair and the private market or in this so called government option but what will happen is were raising the cost of employment. At a time when unemployment is at near record highs. What we ought to be doing is helping employers. Bring back employees get our economy going again and here we are taxing employment. Which means that we're gonna end up with less numbers were employees of America. Speaker Pelosi says this will not at a dime to the deficit this proposal that she presented today is she won't. 1900 to nine. That dominated tell me that this -- gonna add to the deficit. They have all these estimates that the try to predict what's gonna happen over the next when he years or so with a cost of this plan. But this is the government making these estimates. -- remember him but what Medicare. What's passed I've looked at the estimates. The Medicare cost estimate for -- yours is 135. Of what it actually. Insult when the federal government of -- the American know what American people know what to expect. It's gonna cost a lot more the federal government's gonna end up making more decisions for the American people -- get into the relationship. Between doctors and her patients this is exactly what the American people are saying no to."

" So you're sitting at home tonight and you saw this press conference today in this. Very optimistic -- Speaker of the house would Democrats behind them saying this is exactly what America needs what do you want your constituents and the American people. Who have questions about it to do. Well."

" Over the course of the summer the American people spoke pretty loudly and it's pretty clear that the Democrats -- in congress decided to ignore them. I think it's time for the American people to rise up. To -- to have their voices heard once again. And whether it's letters it's emails it's visits. Two the members' offices weather out in the district or -- Washington. It's time to the American people two to put a stop in this accident happened time and time again when the American people speak up Washington listens."

" But if things you may -- had never heard congressman -- are they left without reform that's necessary I thought it was interesting that 36 million people were referenced as being covered under this plan. -- 36 million Americans really the ones that should be getting the benefit of this health care reform or. Are there people within that group that could have health care coverage now but are choosing not to have it."

" Most of the 36 million -- that they say they're gonna cover already have access. But to some type of government program or even their employer program or have chosen just not to have health insurance. When you -- down there are about seven or eight million people in America. Those with preexisting conditions of those who were well I would describe as the working poor. And some early retirees who have a difficult time getting health insurance. We can help those people get health insurance and still bring down the cost of health insurance for the 85% of Americans who have it and think that they too much for. What about seniors and Medicare benefits how are they impacted by this proposal. -- 500 million dollars worth of Medicare cuts over the next ten years. The most significant change is the 162. Billion dollar -- but to Medicare Advantage. There wrote it I've got 27000. Medicare Advantage enrollees in my district. And according to the Congressional Budget Office about 80% of them would lose their coverage. Under the proposal my mind. Seniors a love their Medicare Advantage plans and remember the president said. No one will be forced from the insurance policy that have to they have -- like -- that you keep it."

" Congressman Boehner. Thank you very much for being with us."

" Thank you."