“The American people have been confronted with the reality of the President’s reform, and they don’t like it.”

Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), marked the six month anniversary of the President’s new health care law.  Excerpts of his remarks are below:

“I come to the floor today on the six-month anniversary of the signing into law of what is commonly across the country known to be called ‘Obamacare.’

“Well, I will tell you, madam President, that when six months ago President Obama signed his new health care bill into law, he said, ‘all of the overheated rhetoric over reform will finally confront the reality of reform.’

“So here we are six months later. The American people have been confronted with the reality of the President’s reform, and they don’t like it.

“As a matter of fact, madam President, there was a Rasmussen poll that just came out Monday, and as of Monday of this week, six months after the bill was signed into law, 61% of the American people want Washington to repeal this new health care law.

“Now that we’re six months into the new law, I’d like to walk you through some of the President’s promises and the reality that the people of this great country are living with as they look at what has been crammed down their throats.

“Promise number one by the President: ‘If you like your current health care coverage, you can keep it.’  Well, according to a new Obama administration regulation — a majority of Americans who get their insurance through work will not be able to keep the current health care plan they have.  Even the White House admits it.  The President keeps saying it, but the White House admits it’s not true.

“Promise number two: ‘The law will bring the cost of medical care down and reduce the deficit.’ Well, the Congressional Budget Office disagrees, saying that it erases savings.  The Actuary at the center for Medicare and Medicaid Services says the new law will increase health care spending. 

“Let’s look at promise number three. This says: ‘the law will strengthen Medicare.’ Well, it actually cuts Medicare by half a trillion dollars–$500 billion cut from Medicare. The seniors of this country are furious. Now, to make matters worse, this money is not being used to save Medicare or to strengthen Medicare. The money is being used to start a whole new government program for other people.

“Let’s look at another promise that the President made.  He said, ‘the law will create jobs.’  We have 9.6% unemployment in this country. Well, we continue to learn about companies, companies who want to employ people, who want to create jobs, but instead those companies are cutting their payrolls in order to deal with the massive new tax increases included in the law.

“And then, of course, President Obama also promised ‘that the federal government would not ration care.’ Then I would say, why did the President make a recess appointment of a man to run the centers for Medicare and Medicaid who has repeatedly acknowledged and said that the government must ration care?  He has a long history, but he didn’t come to the Senate to explain a number of statements that he’s made about redistributing wealth, rationing care.

“So you wonder why Americans are sick and tired of Washington? It’s no surprise.”