Research Briefing

Congressman Parker Griffith Rejects Democrats’ Government Run Health-Care Experiment And Prescribes Fewer Democrats In Congress

Rep. Parker Griffith: “I Want To Make It Perfectly Clear That This Bill Is Bad For Our Doctors, Our Patients And Will Have Unintended Consequences Far Beyond What We Know Today.” (Rep. Parker Griffith, Remarks On Switching Parties, Huntsville, AL, 12/22/09)

GRIFFITH MADE CLEAR: HEALTH CARE EXPERIMENT “MAJOR THREAT TO OUR NATION”

Griffith, A Physician, Called The Health Care Bill “A Major Threat To Our Nation.” “I also want to take a moment to discuss the health care legislation currently before Congress. As you know - I am a physician and understand our health care system. I spoke out early and often about my opposition to this health care bill and voted against it in the House. It appears today that this health care bill will pass the Senate and that one of our first votes in the New Year will be on this health care package. … As a doctor and as a Republican I plan to once again oppose this measure and hope that we can defeat this bill that is a major threat to our nation.” (Rep. Parker Griffith, Remarks On Switching Parties, Huntsville, AL, 12/22/09)

Griffith Said He Wants To “Speak Out Clearly” That Health Care Bill “Bad For Our Health Care System.” “Unfortunately there are those in the Democratic leadership that continue to push an agenda focused on massive new spending, tax increases, bailouts and a health care bill that is bad for our health care system. I have always considered myself to be an independent voice and I have tried to be that voice in Congress - but after watching this agenda firsthand I now believe that the differences in the two parties could not be more clear and that for me to be true to my core beliefs and values I must align myself with the Republican party and speak out clearly on these issues.” (Rep. Parker Griffith, Remarks On Switching Parties, Huntsville, AL, 12/22/09)

Griffith: “Policies Pushed By The Current Democratic Leadership Are Not Good For North Alabama Or America.” “However, as the 111th Congress has progressed I have become increasingly concerned that the bills and policies pushed by the current Democratic Leadership are not good for North Alabama or America - and more importantly they do not represent my values and convictions. While I voted against health care, Cap and Trade and two huge spending stimulus bills I now believe that I have to go further and stand with a party that is more in tune with my beliefs and convictions.” (Rep. Parker Griffith, Remarks On Switching Parties, Huntsville, AL, 12/22/09)

GRIFFITH HAS CONSISTENTLY OPPOSED BLOATED HEALTH CARE MESS

Griffith Said House Should Scrap Democrats’ Health Care Bill To Work On “Real Health Reform Without Expanding Government Or Adding More Debt.”  “U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith, D-Huntsville, said the Waxman bill should be scrapped so ‘that moderates in Congress can begin again to write a bill that will bring real health reform without expanding government or adding more debt to an already overburdened treasury.’” (Dana Beyerle, “Speech Did Not Change Minds Of Alabama Delegation,” The Gadsden Times, 9/10/09)

Griffith Has Consistently Opposed Public Option Or Having “The Federal Government Is In Any Way Tied To” Providing Health Insurance.  “An opponent of a government-run insurance option in the health care reform debate, U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith said Monday that he would have to see the details of a proposed nonprofit insurance co-operative alternative before he could support it. ‘It depends on how it's worded and how it's structured,’ said Griffith, a Huntsville Democrat. … ‘If the federal government is in any way tied to the financial and economic viability of the co-op, and is responsible for yet another bailout should it prove insolvent, then we are ultimately looking at a public option. This I would not support.’” (Keith Clines, “Griffith Likes Idea Of Private Co-Ops But Wants Details,” The Huntsville Times, 8/18/09)

Griffith Accused Dem Leadership Of “Shoving [Their Proposals] Down People's Throats.” “’The way they've been going about it, shoving it down people's throats and rushing it through, is a mistake,’ said Griffith, a retired physician who has been confronted by vocal opponents of the administration's proposed health care reform.” (Keith Clines, “Griffith Likes Idea Of Private Co-Ops But Wants Details,” The Huntsville Times, 8/18/09)

Griffith Says The House’s Public Option “Is A Trojan Horse Leading To Government-Controlled Health Care.” “U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith of Huntsville doesn't want Congress to pass a health care reform bill that includes a new government-run insurance program. … Griffith, a retired cancer doctor, said the public option is not well-conceived. ‘The (House) bill being presented, with a poorly defined public option, is a Trojan horse leading to government-controlled health care, and it is not in the best interests of the public,’ he said.” (Jon Busdeker, “U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith Of Huntsville Says The Current House Bill ‘Is Not In The Best Interest Of The Public,’” The Huntsville Times, 7/26/09)