Updated: 10/30/2009 6:54 PM KSTP.com | Print |  Email
By: LUKE GARRISON

Bachmann Fighting Against Democratic Health Care Bill

Many Republican members of congress are back in their districts for the weekend trying to advocate against the House's health care plan, and that movement in Minnesota is being led by Michele Bachmann.

While House Democrats rally around a health care bill they say will cover almost all Americans and lower costs, Republican Michele Bachmann sees it much differently.

"I would prefer to see true health care reform, but unfortunately the bill that will come up next week that we will vote on is the government takeover of cradle to grave socialist health care. This is a mammoth, ugly bill that's coming forward," said Bachmann.

The House plan for a health care bill includes a public or "government" option for insurance. It will cost at least $894 Billion and mandates that everyone gets coverage. That plan also includes a surtax on wealthy Americans.

"The affordable health care act will ensure again affordability for the middle classes, security for our seniors and responsibility to our children," said Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

Bachmann calls the bill by a different name. "There will be maybe 72 hours for the general public to read the bill. And this is going to change our lives forever. This is the crown jewel of socialism," said Bachmann.

Bachmann's alternative revolves around a free-market approach, involving a change in the federal tax code. Each individual would own their health care, not government and not their employers.

Despite alternatives to the plan on the House floor, Democrats hold a huge majority in the House and could control the vote outcome. A vote on that bill is expected within the next 10 days.