Washington D.C. – Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Wally Herger (R-CA) issued the following statement today after Democrats’ released a summary of health care provisions in the proposed stimulus bill:

“Chairman Rangel’s summary of the health care provisions included in the stimulus bill is, unfortunately, in line with the House Democrats’ theory that we can borrow and spend our way out of our economic woes.  Simply throwing money at a problem doesn’t solve the problems we’re facing across our country or in the health care system.  The provision that would include upwards of $30 billion dollars for subsidizing COBRA payments takes the wrong tack to address health care coverage for those who have lost their jobs and offers no assistance to those who aren’t eligible for the program.  Instead we should look at providing assistance that will give people the freedom to choose the health care that best suits their needs and helps as many people as possible.  Additionally, increased efforts to develop health IT infrastructure is an admirable goal and should be part of our long term health strategy.  I’m concerned about whether the legislation will include sufficient standards so that the equipment and software will be interoperable.”