For a bill that is supposed to make Americans healthier, the disincentives for marriage and work under the new healthcare law are truly startling. Beginning in 2013, when many of the bill’s provisions take effect, Americans will find it more advantageous to stay single than to marry, even more so than under the current tax code. And women will face greater incentives to leave the… Read more

Washington D.C- Ways and Means Republicans today sent a letter to UnitedHealth Group (United) inquiring as to its financial relationship with AARP in regard to the marketing of Medicare Medigap and Medicare Advantage policies. United-AARP insurance plans cover more Medicare beneficiaries than any other insurer, and in 2008 AARP received $652,701,000 from insurance companies with 63… Read more

While the President recently said the economy had “turned a corner,” it’s hard to tell that from looking at the job situation across the U.S.  According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor, and the chart below, through March 2010 a total of 48 out of 50 States had seen net job losses since the President signed the Democrats’ stimulus plan into law in February 2009.  The… Read more

Good morning.  I first want to congratulate our new Chairman as this is his first hearing in his new role.  No one understands the vital safety net Social Security provides for retirees, those with disabilities and families than Members of this Subcommittee, which is why I look forward to working with you to address issues of importance to the American people -- and none more so than… Read more

Washington, DC – Ways and Means Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI) today joined House Republican leaders at a press conference to discuss the over $670 billion in tax hikes Democrats have enacted into law since January 2009.  The vast majority of those tax increases are a result of the health care law, and 14 tax hikes will hit middle class families – a direct violation of the President’s… Read more

“These short-term actions are destabilizing medical practices—now on a monthly basis—leaving both physicians and their patients in limbo.” – America Medical Association Executive VP Michael Maves, MD, in April 12, 2010, letter to Congress. During the health care debate, Democrats repeatedly promised to provide a permanent fix to the Medicare doctor payment formula known as SGR, which… Read more

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, despite its obvious shortcomings, and yield myself such time as I may consume. On March 17th, the House approved the prior version of this bill, which would have extended Federal unemployment, COBRA and related benefits, plus the Medicare “doc fix,” through the month of April.  Everyone in this town knew those benefits and programs were… Read more

Washington, DC – Ways and Means Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI) today joined House Republican leaders at a press conference to discuss the over $670 billion in tax hikes Democrats have enacted into law since January 2009.  The vast majority of those tax increases are a result of the health care law, and 14 tax hikes will hit middle class families – a direct violation of the President’s… Read more

Mr. Chairman, clean, renewable energy is something every member of this committee supports.  In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if at one time or another every member of this committee has signed onto or voted for legislation to incentivize the production, purchase and use of alternative fuels.  It has been and remains an issue about our national security, our environment and our… Read more

Washington, DC – Ways and Means Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI) today released a list of tax increases totaling $670.341 billion that have been enacted into law under President Obama.  The gross tax increases equate to more than $2,100 for every man, woman and child in the United States and include at least 14 violations of the President’s pledge not to raise taxes on Americans earning… Read more