Decision Sets The Stakes For November’s Election

Two years after Democrat Richard Carmona announced that he was supporting ObamaCare, the Supreme Court today has affirmed Carmona’s support of President Obama’s agenda ahead of Arizona seniors and small businesses.  In doing so, the Court has made clear what is at stake in November’s election.

“The Supreme Court’s decision makes clear that the only way to stop the massive tax increases, government spending, and cuts to Medicare contained in the healthcare law is to elect a conservative Republican Senator who will work to repeal ObamaCare – not President Obama’s handpicked recruit Democrat Richard Carmona.” National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox said today.

BACKGROUND….

Carmona Supported ObamaCare

In September 2009, Carmona Said Health Care Reform Was Essential To Contain Escalating Costs. “Before the members of the public spoke, former U.S. Surgeon General and Tucson resident Dr. Richard Carmona told the crowd that health-care reform is essential to contain escalating costs and to change a system that focuses on ‘sick care’ rather than health. He added that he’s been disappointed at how many of the forums on national reform have devolved into shouting matches.” (Stephanie Innes, “Crowd Attentive, At Times Rowdy,” Arizona Daily Star, 9/1/09)

In March 2010, Carmona Announced Support For ObamaCare, Stating “We Need To Move Toward A Health Care System, Not The Sick Care System That We Have Today. This Legislation Moves Us Closer To That. This Bill Is Not Perfect. But These Are Complex Issues And We Must Move Forward.” “Carmona served as the 17th surgeon general of the United States under President George W. Bush. Last year, he participated in series of health care town halls that the congresswoman held in Tucson, Sierra Vista and Green Valley. ‘The issue facing our country is how do we get the best care for the most people at the least cost,’ Carmona said. ‘We spend more for health care than any other nation on Earth, but the metrics of our results don’t reflect that. We need to move toward a health care system, not the sick care system that we have today. This legislation moves us closer to that. This bill is not perfect. But these are complex issues and we must move forward. And then I hope we can sit down with level heads and make it even better for the benefit of the American people.’” (“U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Announces Support For Historic Health Insurance Reform Legislation,” Congresswoman Giffords Press Release, 3/20/10)

The Cost Of ObamaCare To Arizona Alone

The Heritage Foundation Estimates From 2014 To 2020 ObamaCare Will Cost Arizona An Additional $544.5 Million. (Edmund Haislmaier and Brian Blasé, “Obamacare: Impact On States,” The Heritage Foundation, 7/1/10)  

Meanwhile Premiums Are Rising In Arizona

Arizona State Employees Told To Expect To See Health-Insurance Costs To Rise As Much As 37 Percent. “State and university employees with families can expect to see their monthly health-insurance costs rise as much as 37 percent next year, depending on the type of plan they choose.  Figures provided by the Arizona Department of Administration show that health plans for families and single adults with children will shoulder the most-expensive premium increases beginning Jan. 1, while individuals will pay modest increases.” (Kent Alltucker, “State Tells Employees Health Insurance Will Rocket,” The Arizona Republic, 7/21/11)

• “Increase In Employee Premiums For Plans That Cover Couples And Families Will Range From $22 To $43 A Month.” (Kent Alltucker, “State Tells Employees Health Insurance Will Rocket,” The Arizona Republic, 7/21/11)
• Arizona Department Of Administration Blames ObamaCare For Increases.  “Alan Ecker, Department of Administration spokesman, said health reform ‘is responsible for all increases for employee premiums’ next year.” (Kent Alltucker, “State Tells Employees Health Insurance Will Rocket,” The Arizona Republic, 7/21/11)

• Arizona Forced To “Shift Costs To Employees.” “He noted that federal health reform passed after the Legislature approved funding for next year’s state’s health plan, so with no money left in the state coffers to cover the mandated changes to health insurance plans, the state opted to shift costs to employees.” (Kent Alltucker, “State Tells Employees Health Insurance Will Rocket,” The Arizona Republic, 7/21/11)