Letter to the editor of the Tribune Review
Dear Editor,It appears we have dueling letters. First on April 9 Mr. Urbaniak pointed out that the health care bill voted for by Congressman Doyle will increase not decrease costs. Mr. Urbaniak referred to examples of decreased earnings recognized by AT&T, Prudential, John Deere, and Caterpillar. Mr. Doyle responded on April 22 to explain costs will be lower in the future than if Congress hadn’t passed the controversial healthcare bill. Oh really. He further explained that the healthcare bill eliminated an income tax loophole that corporations have enjoyed. Does Mr. Doyle need a lesson in economics? Maybe he could stop by PPG Industries, one of the local corporations still in town, to have them explain why they included a charge of $85 million for prescription drug coverage for retirees because of changes in the tax law under the new health care legislation, when Mr. Doyle claims it will save money? Of course, Mr. Doyle still thinks we can tax corporations and businesses with no ramifications to the cost of investment and jobs. This type of logic qualifies Mr. Doyle for a pink slip in November.
Melissa Haluszczak
Coraopolis, PA
The writer is challenging Mike Doyle for his seat in Pennsylvania’s 14th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
NOTE: See below for the texts of “Letters to the Editor” as referenced in Melissa’s letter above.
Letter on April 9 “Doyle, debt & costs”
Congressman Doyle: You and your Democrats lied. You said that because of ObamaCare, costs would go down.
Well, company after company has released projections that their costs are going up! AT&T, Prudential, John Deere, Caterpillar -- on and on. They will have to raise prices to break even. That means everything will cost more because of you and Obama.
You and your staff will be gone this November. Maybe we'll get some sanity back to our lives.
Maybe we'll be able to work our way out of some of the enormous debt you and other Democrats have given us and our children. Bah!
John J. Urbaniak
Mt. Washington
Response on April 22, 2010 from Rep. Doyle
Doyle: costs to fall
The letter "Doyle, debt & costs" (April 9 and TribLIVE.com) alleged that corporations' health care costs are going up because Congress passed health care reform. In fact, corporations' health care costs in the future will be lower than if Congress hadn't enacted health care reform (they would have doubled over the next 10 years).
Moreover, while the bill eliminated an income tax loophole that corporations have enjoyed in the past, it contained a number of other provisions that will help businesses keep their health care costs under control.
Taken as a whole, health care reform will reduce future health care cost increases for businesses, households and individuals once it takes effect in several years. In fact, a number of companies have indicated that this health care reform could actually help them get their health care costs under control.
Mike Doyle
Washington, D.C.
The writer, a Democrat, represents Pennsylvania's 14th Congressional District in the U.S. House.