Decision Sets The Stakes For November’s Election

Two years after liberal U.S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley voted for President Obama’s massive health care bill, the Supreme Court today has affirmed Berkley’s decision to put President Obama’s agenda ahead of Nevada 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 ObamaCare is to keep Senator Dean Heller in the Senate, who will continue his efforts to repeal President Obama and Congresswoman Berkley’s job-killing healthcare law,” National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox said today.  

BACKGROUND….

Berkley Supported The Individual Mandate

In June 2010, Berkley Voted Against A Measure That Would Have Removed The Individual Mandate To Purchase Health Insurance In The Health Care Bill.   “Camp, R-Mich., motion to recommit the bill to the Ways and Means Committee with instructions that it be immediately reported back with language that would repeal the individual mandate to purchase health insurance in the 2010 health care overhaul law.” (H.R. 5486, CQ Vote #362: Motion rejected by a vote of 187-230: D 21-229; R 166-1, 6/15/10, Berkley Voted Nay)

In February 2011, Berkley Voted Against An Amendment That Would Bar The IRS From Using Federal Funds To Implement Or Enforce The Individual Mandate Of The 2010 Health Care Law. “Emerson, R-Mo., amendment that would bar the IRS from using funds to implement or enforce the individual mandate provision of the 2010 health care law, which requires individuals to ensure that they and their dependents have ‘minimum essential coverage’ beginning in 2013 or pay a penalty. The amendment also would bar the IRS from using funds to implement provisions that require insurance providers to report to the agency that they have provided coverage to individuals.” (HR 1, CQ Vote #100: Adopted in Committee of the Whole by a vote of 246-182: R 238-0; D 8-182, 2/18/11, Berkley Voted Nay)

And Berkley Proudly Voted For ObamaCare

Congresswoman Berkley Voted In Favor Of The Democrats’ House-Passed Government-Run Health Care Reform Bill. (H.R. 3962, CQ Vote #887: Passed 220-215: R 1-176; D 219-39, 11/7/09, Berkley Voted Yea)

In Voting For Final Passage, Berkley Said The Bill Was A Chance To Control Medical Costs. “Later in the afternoon, Rep. Shelley Berkley added her assent. She said the centerpiece of the bill – making health insurance available to 32 million more Americans including 460,000 uninsured in Nevada – was a shot at controlling medical costs in the long run. ‘I believe with all my heart the current system is unsustainable,’ Berkley said. ‘The cost of health insurance is skyrocketing. I just made a decision that although this is not a perfect bill there is more in it that was good for the people I represent.’” (Steve Tetreault, “Health Bill Changes Earn Titus, Berkley Support,” Las Vegas Review Journal, 3/20/10)

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND… 

The Cost Of ObamaCare To Nevada Alone

The Heritage Foundation Estimates From 2014 To 2020 ObamaCare Will Cost Nevada An Additional $219.0 Million. (Edmund Haislmaier and Brian Blasé, “Obamacare: Impact On States,” The Heritage Foundation, 7/1/10)

Nevada Business Journal: ObamaCare “Will Increase State Medicaid Costs From $5.4 Billion To $5.7 Billion Over The Period From 2014 To 2023.” “Under a variety of assumptions regarding the future of federal match rates for the newly eligible population, the legislation will increase state Medicaid costs from $5.4 billion to $5.7 billion over the period from 2014 to 2023. When added to the $11.99 billion that Nevada taxpayers are projected to spend on Medicaid over the same time period without PPACA, the total approaches $17.7 billion.” (“ObamaCare Will Squeeze Education, Other Needs,” Nevada Business Journal, 8/11)

Meanwhile Healthcare Costs Are Rising In Nevada

“Health Insurers … Have Asked For Premium Increases Of Between 1% And 9% To Pay For Extra Benefits Required Under The [Democrat Health Care] Law.” “Health insurers say they plan to raise premiums for some Americans as a direct result of the health overhaul in coming weeks, complicating Democrats’ efforts to trumpet their signature achievement before the midterm elections. Aetna Inc., some BlueCross BlueShield plans and other smaller carriers have asked for premium increases of between 1% and 9% to pay for extra benefits required under the law, according to filings with state regulators.” (“Health Insurers Plan Hikes,” The Wall Street Journal, 9/8/10) 

“Aetna, One Of The Nation’s Largest Health Insurers, Said The Extra Benefits Forced It To Seek Rate Increases For New Individual Plans Of 5.4% To 7.4% In California And 5.5% To 6.8% In Nevada After Sept. 23. Similar steps are planned across the country, according to Aetna.” (“Health Insurers Plan Hikes,” The Wall Street Journal, 9/8/10)