GOP hammers away at cost of health bill

Republicans in their weekly radio address hammered their message that the Democratic healthcare reform is too expensive.

“The Democrats’ healthcare plan – crafted largely behind closed doors – isn’t the right thing,” said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), vice-chairwoman of the House Republican Conference, who gave the weekly address on Saturday.

The GOP has seized on a splintered Democratic caucus, particularly in the House where conservative Blue Dog Democrats have been in a tug-of-war with their leadership over healthcare reform.

The Democratic health plan is “a prescription for disaster – one that will put Washington bureaucrats in charge of your family's personal medical decisions,” said McMorris Rodgers.

Republicans, seeking to regain political ground through the healthcare debate, have launched a series of attacks on Democrats' overhaul plan while stating that the GOP goal is to reduce health costs and expand access to care.

“Republicans have offered to help make a truly bipartisan plan that will improve the health of Americans, but Democrats have not wanted our help," Mc Morris Rodgers said.

“Republicans want to seize this opportunity to make healthcare more affordable.”

McMorris Rodgers said that the GOP plan reduces costs “by rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse and reining in junk lawsuits that cost families millions each year in higher premiums.” She also added the Republican plan would let small businesses purchase health insurance for employees at a lower cost, and the uninsured would have “affordable choices.”

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