WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN) released the following statement on H.R. 45, legislation to repeal President Obama’s health care law:

“I came to this body 4 ½ years ago understanding that the greatest problems with the American health care system were cost and access. I knew this because I practiced medicine in East Tennessee for 31 years. I had also been involved with health care reform in Tennessee, beginning in 1993, with our attempt to reform Medicaid. It was called TennCare. Because of this, I knew what not to do.

“We need health care reform in this country, but we need patient-centered health care reform where patients, their families and their physicians make health care decisions- not government bureaucrats or insurance companies. Health care should not be a partisan issue. I have never in my life seen a Republican or Democrat heart attack.

“What were the main promises made during the health care debate? Your insurance premiums would go down, jobs would be created and access would be expanded. What really happened? Insurance premiums have sky-rocketed, as much as 100 percent. We’re looking at tax increase for individuals, taxes on productive companies and taxes on life-saving medical device companies- 21 total.

“Small business owners are being forced to cut hours, delay investments and stop hiring just to stay afloat. This comes at a time when families need more income to make ends meet, not less hours to work and higher insurance premiums. Are patients getting lower costs? No. And maybe the biggest insult of all: the IRS will determine if your insurance coverage is adequate.

“I stand ready to repeal this flawed bill and work with my Democrat colleagues on health care reform that will truly work for the American people.”

Note: Rep. Roe made this statement on the House floor. A link to the video can be found here.