US Rep Bass Statement on Passage of Payroll Tax Cut Extension

WASHINGTON – Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) issued the following statement this morning after the House of Representatives passed bipartisan compromise legislation to extend the payroll tax cut through the end of 2012.  The legislation also extends and reforms unemployment benefits and prevents a 27.4 percent cut in Medicare physician reimbursement rates by freezing rates at their current level through the end of this year.

Bass said:

“This legislation prevents a tax increase on hardworking taxpayers and ensures seniors will still be able to see their doctors by preventing a massive cut in physician reimbursement rates.  It also extends unemployment benefits for the millions of Americans who are struggling to find work in this tough economy.  We can now continue our focus on making it easier for the private sector to grow and create jobs and get our economy moving again in the right direction.

“I’m also pleased that the legislation includes provisions that I strongly support to expand broadband technology, create jobs and grow the economy, and create a nationwide network for public safety by auctioning spectrum.  This will help us meet the growing demand for mobile data and encourage innovation in technology and broadband services.

“I hope the Senate will consider and pass this legislation without delay so we can give families and businesses the certainty they need and prevent a tax increase from taking effect at the end of this month.”

http://bass.house.gov

NHDP - NH Senior Citizens Call on Lamontagne to Renounce Right Wing Plan to End Medicare

Concord, NH -New Hampshire Medicare beneficiaries are condemning Republican plans to block grant and end Medicare. Ovide Lamontagne, wrote in a recent op-ed that he will as Governor he would "seek block grants of Medicaid and Medicare" which would end those successful programs.  

The State House is set to vote on a similar proposal today. HB1560 sponsored by by Rep. DJ Bettencourt, a Lamontagne endorser, and Senator Chuck Morse would enter New Hampshire into an interstate compact, block granting Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Insurance Program, and all other federal funded health care programs.

"As a senior who is enrolled in Medicare, I am deeply opposed to both the bill before the legislature today, and Lamontagne's plan to block grant our Medicare program here in New Hampshire.  This would remove any federal rules, including eligibility, coverage levels, and essential services," said Barbara French of Henniker. "Turning Medicare into a block grant system would put at risk what many people like me enjoy about Medicare, that we can continue our relationship with our own doctors. That's not fair"

"For years, I went to work every day Monday through Friday just like countless others in New Hampshire.  And just like them, I paid my share into Medicare.  I do not want the vital Medicare program that I paid into for years either block granted or ended," added John White of Wolfeboro. "That would put my health care at risk, and health care for thousands of people just like me at risk as well.  I sincerely hope that Mr. Lamontagne reconsiders his position, and urges his Republican colleagues in the House today to vote down this bill."

John White and Barbara French are joined in their opposition by hundreds of New Hampshire residents and voters who have signed a petition calling on the legislature not to block grant Medicare. [Petition]

"Today New Hampshire seniors are calling on Lamontange to renounce his support for ending Medicare in New Hampshire, and asking him to join them in opposing HB1560," said Harrell Kirstein press secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "Either block granting proposal would end Medicare as we know it and put thousands of New Hampshire senior citizens at risk."

NHDP - New TV Ad Can’t Change Bass’ s Votes to Dismantle Medicare, Explode Deficits

$368k in Big Corporate TV Ads Trying to Bail out Bass

CONCORD, NH - Yesterday, the US Chamber of Commerce released a $368,000 New Hampshire TV ad that attempts to bail out Congressman Bass by covering up his vote to dismantle Medicare last year and his repeated votes to explode the national debt over the past two decades in Washington, DC.  The Chamber will spend more on the ads - over $368,000 - than Bass raised during the last six months.

"With an approval rating of just 30%, its is clear that big corporations are trying to bail out Congressman Bass with this expensive TV ad, but no amount of TV ads can cover up his votes to dismantle Medicare and explode the national debt over his 13 years in Washington," said Harrell Kirstein, press secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party. 

"The fact is, Bass voted for the hugely controversial Paul Ryan budget last year that would have ended Medicare as we know it and turn it into a private voucher system, and after his many votes for corporate tax subsidies and loopholes, the national debt has more than doubled on his watch," continued Kirstein.

FACTS

MEDICARE:

Bass has consistently voted to cut Medicare[2] and last year voted for the Paul Ryan budget[3] that would have ended Medicare as we know it and turn it into a voucher system for private insurance.

GOVERNMENT SPENDING:

In July of 2011 Bass voted against a bill that would have reduced the federal deficit by $2.2 trillion and curbed excessive government spending[4]. 

While Bass has been in Congress, the national debt nearly doubled and he has consistently voted to extend subsidies for the multibillion dollar oil industry[5].

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[1] The Granite State Poll, University of New Hampshire, 2/8/12

[2] HRS653, Vote #4, 2/01/06. S1932, Vote #670, 12/19/05. HCR 84, Vote #166, 6/05/97. HR 2496, Vote #812, 11/17/95. HR 2491,Vote #743, 10/26/95.

[3] H CON RES 34, Vote #277, 4/15/11

[4] HR 2693, Vote #682, 7/30/11

[5] HR 6, Vote #445 , 7/28/05 (Bass vote for Bush Energy bill with $85 billion in energy company subsidies, primarily oil and gas).

As of January 31, 1995, the month Bass was first sworn into office, the total Public Debt Outstanding was $4.815 trillion.  Exact number in millions $4,815,827. [Public Debt Historic Data, publicdebt.treas.gov, accessed 9/18/10] As of December 31, 2006, when he left office after being voted out,  the total Public Debt Outstanding was $8.680 trillion.  Exact number in millions $8,680,224. [Public Debt Historic Data, publicdebt.treas.gov, accessed 9/18/10]

NHDP -- Corporate Money Can’t Hide Guinta’s Questionable Past or Vote to End Medicare

Concord, NH - Yesterday, the US Chamber of Commerce released a New Hampshire television ad that attempts to hide Congressman Guinta's questionable barfighting scandal-ridden past and his vote to end Medicare as we know it.  The Chamber will spend more on the ads - over $400,000 - than Guinta raised over the last six months.

"Guinta's questionable bar fighting and scandal-ridden past as one of the most corrupt members of Congress can't be hidden by any amount of out of state television ads. This November, voters will hold him accountable for his numerous votes to destroy the Medicare New Hampshire seniors citizens rely on," said Harrell Kirstein, press secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party. 

"The fact is, Guinta voted for the hugely controversial Paul Ryan budget last year that would have ended Medicare as we know it and turned it into a private voucher system," continued Kirstein.

FACTS

Guinta didn't believe the reckless Ryan plan to end Medicare went far enough. Earlier this year, Guinta voted for the Republican Study Committee budget, "a radical plan that annihilates the social contract in America by putting the GOP budget on steroids. Deeper tax cuts for the wealthy, more severe entitlement rollbacks." [Vote; TPM, 4/15/2011]

Frank Guinta, Republican Candidate In NH, Fled Scene Of Friend's Bar Brawl Reportedly Stepping Over Victim's Body On His Way Out The Door. [The victim's] leg was broken in multiple places and would require a three-hour surgery...What Guinta considers to be a resolved situation sent English to the hospital for three days. They left before an ambulance arrived. The police were not called to the scene." [HuffingtonPost, 10/11/2010]

Frank Guinta was named one of the "most corrupt" members of Congress. The non-partisan Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington named Guinta one of the most corrupt members of Congress, because he "'fudged the numbers and cooked the books to buy a seat in Congress.' That references controversy over the funding of Guinta's 2010 election campaign." [Nashua Telegraph, 9/21/2011]

NH Democrats want Guinta fundraising answers. "Democrats on Monday asked the Federal Election Commission to investigate a news report about Guinta's fundraising published last month. The report in the New Hampshire Union Leader said 1st District Rep. Guinta tried to get the Republican Governors Association to donate $100,000 to the state Republican Party, but was rebuffed over concerns about former GOP chair Jack Kimball's management of party affairs." [Union Leader, 9/27/2011]  

NH Democrats - ALEC: We Don’t Support Your Bill to End Medicare

Over 500 petition signatures against ALEC sponsored bill delivered today

Concord, NH - Today, Democratic lawmakers and New Hampshire citizens dropped off more than 500 petition signatures in opposition to HB1560 written by ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council. Republican House Majority Leader DJ Bettencourt and Republican Senate Finance Chairman Chuck Morse have sponsored HB1560, which would end Medicare in New Hampshire. ALEC sponsored a presentation on Health Care in New Hampshire at the State House this morning.

"This bill is a reckless and irresponsible takeover of New Hampshire's Medicare program, said Representative Cindy Rosenwald of Nashua. "Turning Medicare into a voucher program where seniors have to purchase private health insurance would also put at risk what people like most about Medicare:  that they can continue their relationship with their own doctors.  If they have to choose doctors from within a carrier's network, they may possibly have to leave the doctor they have trusted for years.  That's not fair." 

Instead of a stable, reliable Medicare plan, seniors would be subjected to a budget process every two years that could slash benefits and services at the whim of the state legislature. Under HB1560, the legislature also could choose to eliminate the Children's Health Insurance Program. This irresponsible bill would attempt to nullify federal law and put thousands of Granite State senior citizens and children at risk of losing health insurance and health care services.

"I am a Medicare beneficiary who is very satisfied with the program and the guaranteed health care services made available to me, even though I have a pre-existing condition.  Not only do I have access to medical care, I have the peace of mind knowing that the Medicare program affords me maximum choice of doctors and hospitals," said Joan Jacobs of Portsmouth in testimony before the House Constitutional Review and Statutory Recodification Committee.  "I paid payroll taxes to Medicare throughout my life as a wage earner.  I do not want my Medicare coverage terminated by the state of New Hampshire.  I repeat:  I do not want my Medicare coverage terminated by the state of New Hampshire."

"I believe HB1560 is an ill advised proposal that will bring chaos to the health delivery system here in New Hampshire.  It will bring uncertainty and anxiety to doctors and patients alike.  As a Medicare beneficiary myself, I find it alarming that lawmakers in our state legislature would want to take away a guaranteed benefit and replace it with a state block grant of diminishing value," continued Jacobs. "Even more astounding is the fact that the bill as proposed does not even require the redirected federal funds be used for health care."

"Hopefully testimony from Granite State citizens like Joan Jacobs and the cries of hundreds of New Hampshire residents who don't want to see Medicare ended will stop ALEC and the sponsors of this awful bill," added Rep. Rosenwald.

The full text of the petition and signatures can be found here.