Medicare for None
Last week, the House Rules Committee held the first ever legislative hearing on the Democrats’ so-called Medicare for All proposal. Both the inaugural forum and the legislation itself reveal a lot about the Democratic majority’s priorities in the U.S. House of Representatives.
While not unheard of, it is certainly unusual for the Rules Committee to conduct legislative hearings. During most weeks, the committee serves as the last stop for major legislation before it can go to the House floor for consideration and a vote.
Usually, members of the committee are focused on setting the terms of debate, including how much time is allowed and whether any additional amendments can be brought up or accepted on the floor. While I was tapped to serve as the top Republican on the committee this Congress, I have sat on this influential panel for some time and know firsthand the rarity of having a legislative hearing.
So why did a committee that typically guides procedure conduct such a consequential hearing? I suspect the recent use of the “Speaker’s Committee” was intended to signal to the American people what is most important to Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic majority in the House.
That suspicion is confirmed since the Rules Committee can only claim jurisdiction over one page of the 120-page bill. (H.R.1384)
On the other hand, other House committees are much more relevant to weighing in and considering the Democrats’ proposed one-size-fits-all, government-run health care system. Following last week’s hearing, I am encouraged that one of those committees – Ways and Means – is expected to conduct a hearing on the legislation. I hope others will soon follow. Considered alone, the title sounds promising. After all, Medicare is a popular program among current recipients across the country. Unfortunately, the socialist proposal would really lead to a government takeover of the nation’s health care system – requiring all Americans to pay more in taxes, wait longer for care and receive potentially worse care. Moreover, it would put current Medicare recipients at risk. While it’s uncertain how much the specific legislation would cost taxpayers or how Democrats intend to pay for it, the price tag would be enormous. In fact, basic Medicare for All proposals have been estimated at more than $32 trillion over 10 years.WATCH: After last votes yesterday, I sat down in my DC office to reflect on the week, specifically the @RulesReps hearing on the Democrats' #MedicareForAll bill. It was an unusual forum for the first legislative hearing ever on this extreme bill with an astronomical price tag. pic.twitter.com/XfInxxQ2fB
— Rep. Tom Cole (@TomColeOK04) May 3, 2019
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