The Burton Blog

Why I Did Not Vote For the Health Care Bill

Wane.com from Fort Wayne shares a statement from Dan Burton on the recently passed Health Care Bill.

"I voted against Speaker Pelosi's bill because it is a disaster for health care in America. It costs too much, taxes too much, cuts Medicare and Medicare Advantage, and will ultimately cause health care to be rationed.

"Furthermore, what the Democrats have done today could cost millions of jobs at a time when their failed spending policies have already pushed America's unemployment rate to 10.2%. Looking ahead, I encourage Hoosiers, and all Americans, opposed to a government takeover of health care to contact their Senators and Representatives and voice their concerns. The fight for a better way to improve America's health care is not over yet."

Health Care Mailers Cause Controversy

In the Louisville, KY area, a private health insurance company sent a mail piece to local residents explaining the drawbacks of government reformed health care system. The controversy stems from an order from a federal agency to ban these mailers. 89.3 WFPL shares Dan's opinion in their recent article.

Republican Indiana Congressman Dan Burton took to the House floor Friday in opposition to what he called a government gag order.

 ”That is a violation of the First Amendment, and secondly, I don’t know of any rule that would allow Senator Baucus to do this,”  Burton said.

3 Hot Topics: Student Loans, Health Care, and ACORN

Chances are, that you have been or will be affected by one of these matters.  Congressman Burton highlights his viewpoints on all three topics and discusses how the proposed changes will affect Americans.  The Kokomo Perspective posts the full article here.

Student Loans
The student loan industry may need some reform, but the reform Congressman George Miller, D-Calif., chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, has already been done in the 1990's and it failed, Burton said. It also would have a strong negative affect on Indiana with Sallie Mae offices in Fishers and Muncie...

Health Care
Burton has been actively against the Democrats' health care plan. He has proposed the Empowering Patients First Act (H.R. 3400), which would not increase taxes or increase government spending. Instead it would use the money the government receives more effectively. His plan would: protect the doctor-patient relationship, lower health-care costs, expand access to quality care and coverage and invest in prevention and wellness programs.

Burton said he does not know where the health care reform bill may be heading, but he has some ideas...

ACORN
The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, commonly known as ACORN, has been under scrutiny by many since the months going into the 2008 general election for its voter registering practices. In the past couple weeks, this organization has come under more scrutiny because of an undercover video shot at an ACORN office in Baltimore, Md. where ACORN employees offered unethical advice to a prostitute and a pimp in order to evade tax evasion and traffic in children from El Salvador to work as prostitutes. Other similar undercover videos from offices elsewhere around the country were later released.

Burton is now trying to get Congress to investigate ACORN...

Government-controlled health plan is not the answer

The Peru Tribune highlights Congressman Burton's town-hall meeting at the Peru High School auditorium.  At the meeting, Burton compared and contrasted the Republican and Democratic proposed health care plans.  Read more of the article here.

The Fifth-District representative addressed about 400 area residents during the session, stating the health plan bill proposed by Democrats would result in bureaucrats controlling the health care for individuals. Burton said a proposed health plan bill he is cosponsoring would enhance consumer protections and force insurance companies to compete for each individual’s business.

Constituents Able to Talk to Dan at Town Hall Meetings

Compliments to wane.com for posting this video:

Approaching Deadline for Health Care Reform

With September 15th drawing nearer, Obama's unofficial deadline for a new proposed health care bill is also approaching. August recess is almost over and our Congressmen will resume battling over a solution for our health care system. To protect his constituents, Congressman Burton has and will continue to fight against government intervention in health care.  Indiana Daily Student News reports what is happening in all districts across Indiana.

In July, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the reforms would reduce the number of uninsured Americans by about a third, at a cost of $1 trillion dollars over 10 years.

Rep. Dan Burton, R-5th District, opposes the bill and would oppose any version that mandated a government-run program, said Matt Prine, a spokesman for Burton.

“Putting a government official between the patient and the doctor is overstepping the boundaries of what government should do,” Prine said.

He estimated that three-quarters of constituents who have contacted Burton’s office since the bill’s proposal were opposed to it.

Burton Addresses Health Care on WISH TV

Congressman Burton talks with doctors about their views and fears of the proposed health care bill.  WishTV's YouTube channel shares their viewpoints with this video.

FDA pulls warning about medical hazards of mercury fillings for children and pregnant women

Though most dentists and patients have progressed to resin composite dental fillings, there are the few that still rely on mercury fillings.  For those that remain using mercury, the dangers should lawfully be made known to them.  The FDA, however, has neglected to take sufficient consideration about the warnings that should be deliberated for those who receive mercury fillings. This month, Congressman Burton and Congressman Watson have introduced a resolution to congress.  The article from SOA World Magazine tells more.

"FDA broke its contract and broke its word that it would put warnings for children and unborn children for neurological damage," said Charles G. Brown, National Counsel for Consumers for Dental Choice, who brought the lawsuit compelling today's action. "Bowing to the dental products industry, FDA for the first time in its history pulled a warning about neurological harm to children. This contemptuous attitude toward children and the unborn will not go unanswered. We will see FDA in court."

Intense interest in the rule exists on Capitol Hill. Congresswoman Diane Watson (D-CA) and Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN) co-authored a letter to FDA in May, signed by 19 Members of Congress, calling for a rule to protect children and young women from amalgam. In July, they introduced a resolution on the issue with 29 co-sponsors (H.Res. 648).

Investment Industry - Check; Banking Industry - Check; Health Care Industry - Almost

In an article about the opposing views of Obama's health care plan, Dan Burton's opinion points to socialism. The government is increasing control over businesses, the economy, and now health care.  Read below for an except from the Miami Herald article.

Rep. Dan Burton, R-Ind., addressing a C-SPAN audience during a recent special orders session in the House, said: "The administration is moving as rapidly as possible towards a socialistic form of government. They're trying to control and are controlling the investment business, the banking business ... and now the health care business."

Private enterprises play a significant role in health care

Yesterday, Congressman Burton visted Arcadia's DailyMed facility to learn more about how private enterprises are shaping the health care system.  New innovations and diminished health care costs are encouraged by private enterprises.  The Ajax World Magazine online explians more about Dan's visit and the benefits of private health care providers.

"I'm visiting DailyMed Pharmacy in Indianapolis to see how a private enterprise is playing an important role in improving health care in America. In Congress, we are about to embark on a serious debate, and I believe DailyMed is a local example of how our solutions will come from the ingenuity of the private sector."

"...We are very pleased to welcome Congressman Burton to our DailyMed facility. He is a recognized leader in Washington and an important voice for our state on the role innovation must play in making health care safer, more affordable and more accessible for all. After spending two days in Washington last week discussing health care reform and with today's visit by Congressman Burton, its becoming very apparent DailyMed is the right product at the right time," said Marvin R. Richardson, president and CEO of Arcadia Resources.