SHELBY COUNTY, Alabama - The Shelby County Republican Party is applauding Gov. Robert Bentley's decision against setting up a state-based health insurance exchange program under the federal Affordable Care Act.
"We adopted a resolution in our August meeting actually requesting the very same action the governor took," Shelby County GOP chairman Freddy Ard said in an interview on Friday. "I wanted to take the opportunity, on behalf of the party, to commend the governor for making that decision."
Bentley last week announced he would not pursue the state-based health insurance exchange program that could cost Alabama taxpayers up to $50 million to implement. The governor also rejected an opportunity to reconsider his decision following an extension of this month's deadline.
"The Affordable Care Act is neither affordable nor does it actually improve health care. Congress and the president have said they want to work together to solve the fiscal crisis facing this country, and I suggest they start with this health care bill," Bentley said in a statement last week.
"I have been speaking individually and in group settings with governors from all over the country, and I feel that a significant number of these governors will take a similar stand," Bentley added. "That will send a clear signal to all of our elected leaders in Washington that the health care bill should be changed."
In Republican-dominated Shelby County, Ard criticized President Obama's Affordable Care Act and expressed concern the legislation is "going to have a detrimental effect, I believe, on not just individuals but businesses and individuals" due to federal insurance requirements.
"I think most of our people, if not all, would be in favor of dismantling Obamacare in its entirety," Ard said.
In support of his statement, Ard pointed to the 59 percent of voters in favor of Amendment 6 to the Alabama Constitution on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. The amendment prohibits "any person, employer or health care provider from being compelled to participate in any health care system."
Unofficial results in Shelby County showed more than 72 percent of voters in support of the amendment.
Because the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the federal mandate, Alabama's amendment will likely have little effect, according to the Shelby County GOP.
"The fact that Alabamians voted November 6 to prohibit mandatory participation in a health care system is further proof that Alabamians don't want government to be any more involved in our health care decisions," he said.
Ard agreed with concerns about the cost to Alabama taxpayers to implement the program, which would create a state-managed marketplace for health insurance.
"Governor Bentley is protecting Alabama's general fund by doing what is necessary to ensure that funds are available to cover our current obligations instead of adding new ones," he said.
Source: http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/11/shelby_county_gop_applauds_ben.html
heart transplant the international preppers geraldo obama trayvon martin pietrus cheney
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.