The Democrat who represents Iowa’s first congressional district says he would not remove anything from the health care reform plan that became law earlier this year, while his Republican opponent says he’d vote to repeal nearly all of it. Republican candidate Ben Lange of Independence says his biggest objection is to the new fine for those who fail to get health insurance.
“For the first time in America’s history, you will be fined by the federal government if you don’t purchase a product from a private company,” Lange says. “That is an amazing point in history that my opponent continues to think we can shove government down the throats of eastern Iowans.”
Congressman Bruce Braley, a Democrat from Waterloo, says the health care system was broken and Republicans offered nothing but the “same old, tired rhetoric” during George W. Bush’s presidency. “Forty-seven million Americans without health insurance is a national tragedy and Republicans did nothing to solve it, premiums skyrocketing out of control,” Braley says. “Is the bill we passed perfect? No, but it’s a good start in making sure that people have access to quality, affordable health care.”
The two candidates made their comments during a weekend appearance on the “Iowa Press” program on Iowa Public Television.