Corker Voices Concern over Medicare in the Health Care Bill

Tennessee Republican Bob Corker continued to fight against the Democratic health care bill today.

Senator Corker says there are some good things in the measure, but that it’s crafted on a flawed premise. He says paying for the bill by taking money from Medicare, instead of making Medicare solvent, is fundamentally wrong.

“…So even though there are some good things, like the exchanges – that’s a good thing. Trying to deal with some of the insurance reforms, those are good things, but again, the bill is built on a foundation that is flawed. And it’s not good for Tennessee and it’s not good for this country. And by the way, there’s no question in my mind about that. I mean, it’s not a, not like a grey area. This is just not good for our country.”

Corker also argued the bill would break the law by placing an unfair financial burden on states and businesses.

He points to a portion of the bill expanding Medicaid, and another that requires many employers to provide health coverage, saying both violate a 1995 law called the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act.

Today, the senate voted 60-39 to end a GOP filibuster and move forward to a final vote on the matter tomorrow morning. That’s the third time Democrats have mustered a full 60 votes in support of the bill, more than they need to pass it.

EXTRA:

Raw sound from Corker:

Capitol News Connection contributed to this story.