Washington, Oct 30 - On Thursday, the House Democrat Leadership unveiled H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which sets the tone for a new Washington takeover of the health care system, one defined by federal regulation, mandates, myriad new programs, and higher federal spending.  Although the bill number and name are new, this 1,990-page piece of legislation contains a number of serious concerns parallel to its predecessor, H.R. 3200.  Among its similar provisions, the new legislation will impose a 2.5 percent tax on individuals who fail to purchase a government-designed health care plan; place a new 5.4 percent surtax on high-earning individuals and small businesses; and create a new payroll tax up to eight percent on employers who do not provide their employees with insurance or who are deemed to not provide adequate insurance to their employees.  Furthermore, H.R. 3962 will prohibit the reimbursement of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals from Health Savings Accounts, Medical Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Arrangements, and Health Reimbursement Arrangements and will also impose a 2.5 percent excise tax on medical devices.  As H.R. 3962 is nearly double the length of the previous health care bill and a product of closed door meetings, Congressman Miller will pour through the bill’s provisions in the coming days to better understand what implications it will have on you and the American health care system.  While it is unclear when the House will take up the health care legislation, Congressman Miller will oppose this sham of reform because it fails to address the real issues attributed to the rising cost of health care.  To read the text of the new bill, click here.  To read about Congressman Miller’s solutions for effective health care reform, click here to view his recent mailer.

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