Washington, DC – Congressman Todd Akin (R-MO), a vocal critic of President Obama’s health care proposal, reaffirmed his commitment to oppose attempts to socialize American’s health care with the following statement:

“President Obama and Speaker Pelosi are demanding that Congress immediately pass a sweeping government takeover of America’s healthcare system and the nearly twenty percent of the nation’s economy it represents.   They demand this be done without a proper accounting of the program and what it means when it comes to rationed care and placing bureaucrats between patients and their doctors.

“The rate at which the Obama Administration is seeking to nationalize our economy should serve as a caution to rushing through socialized medicine.  The House just passed the Cap and Trade bill proposed by the Administration, which threatens our entire economy with the largest tax increase in America’s history.  Further this bill was pushed through so rapidly that most members did not have a chance to read an amendment over three hundred pages long that was offered in the middle of the night.

“Our nation continues to hemorrhage jobs at a staggering rate after the administration rushed an earmark laden, trillion dollar ‘stimulus’ package without careful consideration and oversight.

“The government is now in the car building business because of a multi-billion dollar bailout that many hoped would prevent the auto manufactures from declaring bankruptcy, which they did anyway.

“Families often face difficult medical care choices and decisions and it is easy to wish for a miracle solution, but such government solutions always come at the price of liberty and freedom and the right for individuals to choose for themselves.  It may sound nice to think that the government might be able to give everyone a home, but do you want to live in government housing?  Likewise it may sound nice to be promised free health insurance, but do you want to give up your private health insurance and put a federal bureaucrat in charge of your personal health care?”