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Tom Emmer’s Plan for Health Care: Return Control to Big Insurance Companies.

WhatsThePlanTom.com — As major parts of the
federal health care reform law go into effect this week, we’re reminded that Tom
Emmer wants to reject these protections to consumers and keep the status quo. Emmer
wants to reject reforms that will extend coverage to young adults, ban
insurance companies from dropping coverage when patient get sick and providing
free preventive health care. 

In fact, Tom Emmer has repeatedly tried to keep
Minnesota out of Health Care Reform. He pledged to unilaterally withdraw from
the federal Health Care program if elected governor.

Emmer’s decision to play politics with health care would have very
real consequences on Minnesota families — who are already seeing the
benefits and protections of the reform.

  • 94,900: Small businesses who may be eligible for tax credits this year.
  • 63,700:  Number of residents who hit the donut hole last year and could be eligible for rebates if they hit the donut hole this year.
  • 747,000: Number of Medicare beneficiaries who will receive free preventive services and other benefits.
  • 3,463,000: Number of people who purchase private insurance and will not have to worry about lifetime limits being placed on coverage.
  • 11,400: Number of young adults who could have quality affordable coverage through their parents.

[WhiteHouse.gov/HealthReform, 09/23/2010]

For more on Tom
Emmer’s plan to take Minnesota backwards, visit WhatsThePlanTom.com an TomEmmersMN.org.


Emmer Suggested That
As Governor, He Would Withdraw MN From Federal Health Care Programs. 
In August 2009, the West Central
Tribune
wrote, “If socialized medicine is adopted on the federal level, Minnesota
is ‘not in’ if he’s governor, said Emmer. Citing the Mayo Clinic as an example,
Emmer said the state has an excellent health care system that would improve if
the issues of access and cost are addressed.”  [West Central Tribune, 08/08/09]

Emmer Argued That
States Have The Right To Opt Out Of Federal Health Care Legislation. 
In September the Norfolk
Virginian-Pilot
wrote, “‘All I’m trying to do is protect the individual’s
right to make health care decisions,’ said state Rep. Tom Emmer, a Republican.  Emmer said the amendment notion would
not prevent anyone from taking part in a federal health program; it would
merely prevent people from being forced to do so.  He seemed unconvinced by legal experts who discount the
states’ chances of trumping a federal plan.  ‘They’re essentially saying that state constitutions are
meaningless, and I disagree,’ he said. ‘And tell me where in the U.S.
Constitution it says the federal government has the right to provide health
care? This is the essence of the debate.'”  [Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, 09/29/09]

Emmer Voted Against
General Assistance Medical Care.
On February 18, 2010, Emmer voted against
SF 2168, the GAMC bill. On March 1, 2010, Emmer upheld Pawlenty’s veto of the
bill by voting against a veto override. [Minnesota House of Representatives, SF
2168, House Journal 7865,
8052]

Emmer Attacked The
Very Idea Of A Health Care Safety Net. 
In a March 2010 column in the Star Tribune, Lori Sturdevant
quoted Emmer, “‘We’ve conditioned a generation to believe government is
supposed to provide a safety net for health care,’ he said, shaking his head in
disagreement with the notion. ‘I see a different future for welfare, and that
includes health care programs.'”  [Star
Tribune
, 03/27/10]


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