Statement from Petri on bill passage

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Congressman Tom Petri (R-Fond du Lac) released the following statement on the passage of a health care reform bill by the House.

The House of Representatives approved major health care reform this evening. Rep. Petri voted "no," and made the following comments:

"I think the vote was a tragedy. The bill, when it is finally implemented, will be a killer of jobs and of economic growth. It is going to mean our unemployment will be higher rather than lower, and I think people are going to be shocked when they learn how much more they are going to be paying in premiums for the insurance that they get - especially young people and middle-aged people. There will be real increases in the cost of health care for an awful lot of Americans.

"Now, I think one thing we have to remember is that this is not final passage. The bill goes to the Senate and will have to go to a conference. There are many hurdles that still have to be passed."