Resolution of the Livingston County Republican Party

WHEREAS the Republican National Committee 2012 Party Platform states: We are the party of government reform. At a time when the federal government has become bloated, antiquated and unresponsive to taxpayers, it is our intention not only to improve management and provide better services, but also to rethink and restructure government to bring it into the twenty-first century. Government reform requires constant vigilance and effort because government by its nature tends to expand in both size and scope. Our goal is not just less spending in Washington but something far more important for the future of our nation: protecting the constitutional rights of citizens, sustainable prosperity, and strengthening the American family. . . . The proper purpose of regulation is to set forth clear rules of the road for the citizens, so that business owners and workers can understand in advance what they need to do, or not do, to augment the possibilities for success within the confines of the law. Regulations must be drafted and implemented to balance legitimate public safety or consumer protection goals and job creation. Constructive regulation should be a helpful guide, not a punitive threat. Worst of all, over-regulation is a stealth tax on everyone as the costs of compliance with the whims of federal agencies are passed along to the consumers at the cost of $1.75 trillion a year. Many regulations are necessary, like those which ensure the safety of food and medicine, especially from overseas. But no peril justifies the regulatory impact of Obamacare on the practice of medicine, the Dodd-Frank Act on financial services, or the EPAs and OSHAs overreaching regulation agenda. A Republican Congress and President will repeal the first and second, and rein in the third. We support a sunset requirement to force reconsideration of out-of-date regulations, and we endorse pending legislation to require congressional approval for all new major and costly regulations. (www.gop.com/2012-republican-platform_home) WHEREAS the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), also commonly called PPACA or Obamacare, was challenged in Federal Court by the National Federation of Independent Business and a coalition of 26 States (including Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette); and WHEREAS the United States Supreme Court invalidated a provision of PPACA that would have permitted the federal government to force states to expand their Medicaid programs under threat of financial penalties and thus held that each state was free to make expansion decisions for itself; and WHEREAS serious questions continue to be raised about the impact of the law on states, individuals, employers, healthcare stakeholders and the free-market system that supports American enterprise; and

Livingston County Republican Party

PO Box 923

Brighton, MI 48116

WHEREAS a majority of American citizens continue to oppose PPACA and the implementation of the laws provisions; and WHEREAS private options haven't been vetted, and a party dedicated to limited government should first seek market driven options such as SB 459 and 460 before resorting to an increased scope of government. WHEREAS in light of the many uncertainties surrounding the administration, implementation and funding of PPACA at the federal level, the Executive Committee of the Livingston County Republican Party believes it is imprudent to implement PPACA in Michigan, including the expansion of the states Medicaid program. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The Executive Committee of the Livingston County Republican Party calls upon their elected officials in the Michigan House of Representatives and Senate to vote NO on HB 4714 (Sub H-3) or any other legislation related to an expansion of state Medicaid eligibility and funding, or the implementation and function of any government-run Health Care Exchange associated with the PPACA within the State of Michigan and to find better alternatives to improve the healthcare of Michiganians.

This Resolution is adopted by Executive Committee vote on August 1, 2013.

Cc:

Robert Schostak, Chair, Michigan Republican Party Senator Joe Hune Representative Cindy Denby Representative Bill Rogers Cindy Pine, State Committeewoman Russ Spencer, State Committeeman Norm Shinkle, Chair Michigan 8th Congressional District Republican Committee

Livingston County Republican Party

PO Box 923

Brighton, MI 48116