Murphy Explains "No" Vote on Healthcare

Although the Bill passed in the House, Murphy is looking to the Senate for some improvements he finds critical for his 20th District constituents. Murphy will not endorse the Afford Healthcare for America Act until it reflects greater financial sympathy for small-businesses struggling to provide health coverage, and the larger area companies, which would see large tax increases under the House bill.
Specifically, Murphy described apprehensions about the bill's proposed tax increase for paper companies like Finch-Pruyn Paper in Glens Falls and Capital Region medical device manufacturers, which are two of the largest employing industries in the 20th District.
According to Murphy, this is a fundamental problem with significant impacts. These companies face $50 billion in taxes, potentially placing further stress on an already fragile economy and tenuous job market. Murphy also stressed the District's sensitivity to taxes because of high real estate taxes.
The connection between the paper industry and healthcare reform is a measure limiting the industry's access to a "biofuel tax credit loophole" for a fuel called "black liquor." The tax credit is projected to cost the Federal government approximately $24 billion over the next decade.
In restricting this incentive, the Federal government would incur great savings, therefore offsetting a portion of the healthcare bill's costs. This measure is a stand-alone bill that alters incentives from the 2008 Farm Bill which granted $1.01 per gallon tax credit of cellulosic biofuel.
Overall, Murphy is worried about the ability of the House's Affordable Healthcare for America Act version to cut costs and maximize long-term benefits.
"During these difficult economic times, an unacceptably high price tag will stress our already overstretched federal budget and place even more burdens on our hard working individuals, families and small businesses. We need to fix the system now, and not put off the hard choices for another generation. Furthermore, I am deeply frustrated by the last minute addition of over $50 billion in taxes on the two largest private employers in the 20th District - medical device manufacturers and paper mills," Murphy said in a written statement.
Murphy views the current version as a really expensive solution; $1.2 trillion could mean putting off problems for the next generation. At Monday's press conference, Murphy emphasized the importance of cost controls; he is looking to the senate to return "better" rebuttal legislation, which he will take an "active look at."
"However, in order to achieve this goal, we must address the fundamentally flawed system that has led to skyrocketing costs, bankrupt families and extremely profitable insurance companies. For these reasons, I voted no on H.R. 3962 tonight."