MARYLAND GOP CHAIR SENDS HEALTH CARE LETTER TO GOVERNOR O’MALLEY

Maryland Republican Party

Will Governor O’Malley support health care reform that raises taxes on middle class citizens?

Annapolis, MD – Maryland Republican Party Chairman James Pelura sent a letter to Governor O’Malley on today, asking on behalf of all Maryland citizens for Governor O’Malley to reject the Senate Democrats’ health care bill. The full text of the letter reads:

The Honorable Martin O’Malley
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21401



Dear Governor O’Malley:

Yesterday, a new health care bill was introduced by Democratic Senator Max Baucus of Montana, which brings great anxiety to the citizens of Maryland. This bill not only fails to reduce health care costs for middle class Americans, but it actually increases taxes on common medical services. The last thing Marylanders need are more taxes or unfunded mandates. Marylanders find the idea that the Federal government would transfer the burden of additional Medicaid costs to the states, far too burdensome, especially in the current economy.

Republicans and Democrats do need to work together to reform our health care systems, but it can be done incrementally. The enormous cuts which have been proposed to Medicare come at a time when America faces the largest growth in participation as the baby boom generation comes of age.

At a time when Maryland is already struggling to meet its obligations, taking on these extra expenses will have a devastating impact on Maryland families and our economy. These large unfunded mandates will mean that critical services will have to be cut or state taxes will have to rise. Even Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has expressed concern over the impact of this bill on his constituents. I hope you can take this to heart for Marylanders.

Families and small business are already struggling with burdensome health care and insurance costs and because of the many mandates currently in place in Maryland, the existing programs are already over-subscribed. Stated simply, America needs health care reform, but shifting the problem and the costs to the states and small businesses does not constitute reform. It is an irresponsible approach, and an affront to the Maryland taxpayers, who will ultimately have to pay the bill.

As Chairman of the Maryland Republican Party, I ask you to stand up for the taxpayers, employers and the fiscal health of our State and oppose this government-run health care experiment. Additionally, I ask that you call on President Obama and Senators Mikulski and Cardin, Congressmen Kratovil, Ruppersberger, Sarbanes, Edwards, Hoyer, Cummings and Van Hollen, to state their opposition to unfunded mandates or any aspect of health care reform that shifts undue financial or regulatory burdens to states. It is time to make clear whether you stand with Maryland workers and families, or support this massive tax increase on the middle class, or will you continue to announce additional furloughs, cuts in services and tax hikes.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and I hope you will stand up for the tax-paying citizens and businesses of Maryland and do what is right for them.

Sincerely,

James Pelura

Chairman