HARRISBURG — Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason was not surprised to learn that President Barack Obama and the Democrats are refusing to allow the American people watch their negotiations regarding government-run health care.
“It’s become increasingly evident that President Barack Obama and his Democratic colleagues have no intention of fulfilling their promise to the American people of a transparent legislative process as it relates to their bid to advance government-run health care,” Gleason said. “Their continued refusal to allow cameras into their government-run health care negotiations should tell the American people everything they need to know about their plan to raise taxes, kill jobs and drive a government-sized wedge between patients and their doctors.
“For months, Americans have been asking for a thoughtful, step-by-step approach to government-run health care that will keep costs low while making it easier to gain medical coverage regardless of a change in location or job or marital status.
“President Obama and Congressional Democratic colleagues like Speaker Pelosi to stop operating in the shadows and to open up the debate on government-run health care. I would call on Pennsylvania’s Democratic Congressional delegation, Congressmen Tim Holden, Paul Kanjorski, Chris Carney, Joe Sestak, Jason Altmire, Patrick Murphy, Kathy Dahlkemper, Allyson Schwartz, John Murtha, Bob Brady, Chaka Fattah and Mike Doyle, to demand that their party’s leadership open up this process to the American people.”
Republicans are not the only ones who are wondering why the Democrats push for government-run, taxpayer-funded health care has not been more open. Today, it was revealed that Democratic Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Joe Sestak publicly questioned the process during an interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “They said it would be transparent. Why isn’t it? At times, I find the caucus is a real disappointment. We aren’t transparent, not just to the public but at times to the members.” (“Sestak puts blame on Democratic leaders for slipping support,”Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 1/7/10)
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