Way to Go Stephanie!

Klick: GOP’s answer to tough economy doesn’t include nationalized healthcare or cap and trade
By: Stephanie Klick
Special to the Star-Telegram

Despite promises by the Obama administration that the federal stimulus bill would have an immediate impact on the economy, the number of unemployed Americans is 20 percent higher now than it was before the legislation was signed into law. In fact, the latest unemployment statistics have prompted some Democrats to float a trial balloon advocating yet another round of government spending. If Congress and the president are serious about jump-starting the economy, they should repeal the wasteful spending contained in the stimulus bill and focus on policies that will encourage private-sector investment in the economy. They can start by eliminating the $16.1 million to be spent in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s California district to protect the salt marsh mouse. Paying $18 million to a Democrat donor to revamp the government stimulus Web site should also be eliminated.

The administration should stop fueling economic uncertainty by advancing failed policies such as cap and trade. The experiences of Spain and Australia have proved that this approach will raise the cost of living of every American and will send more people to the unemployment line. Spain alone saw its unemployment levels soar to nearly 20 percent. If the administration is serious about creating jobs, it should suspend the war on small business and the middle class. The proposed taxes on small businesses to pay for national healthcare will kill jobs. Americans know that a new government plan will not fix the problem. Fifty-nine percent of the healthcare dollars spent in the United States are under the control of federal and state regulators. These same programs are plagued with waste, fraud and abuse, and more than $60 billion a year is lost to Medicare fraud. Unfortunately, patients in government-run programs also suffer poorer outcomes than those covered by private insurance.

The $1.6 billion-a-year plan being advanced by the Senate Democrats in Washington will radically increase government’s role in the healthcare of all Americans. It is expected that the Democrats will again rush a bill to the floor, with no time for members to read it before voting. In recent days, Senate Democrats defended the inclusion of funding for jungle gyms and walking trails as "preventive healthcare." No wonder they don’t want anyone to read the bill! Washington should look instead to the free market for solutions, such as tax credits for purchasing health insurance. We need to make health insurance personal and portable, controlled by the individual, not government or an employer. This will eliminate losing coverage with job changes and provide more choices for consumers.

The cost of insurance coverage can vary greatly depending on the state in which one lives. Each state has its own regulations and coverage requirements that can greatly affect premiums. Currently, consumers are prohibited from purchasing health insurance across state lines. Eliminating this barrier will provide consumers with more choices and reduce costs. Nationalizing healthcare, new energy taxes and more irresponsible spending will not put us on the path to economic recovery. These policies will do more harm than good. More jobs will be lost. It is time to change direction.

Stephanie Klick is Chairwoman of the Tarrant County Republican Party.