Health plan backed by U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill would cost Missouri millions of dollars it can't afford

Dear Sen. Claire McCaskill:

Weeks ago, the Senate voted to proceed with the unprecedented government-controlled health care plan being proposed by President Obama and crafted by Harry Reid. While U.S. Sen. Kit Bond chose to vote against moving forward with this so-called "health care reform," you, senator, voted to move this bill forward.

Right now, Missouri's Medicaid program already grows by over $100 million each year. The total cost for our social-services program is approximately one-third of our entire state budget. The plan being proposed by your colleagues in the Senate could cost Missouri an additional $400 million more each year. That is money we just don't have, as you and Gov. Jay Nixon are aware.

More than one month ago, I called on you to make your position on this bill clear to all Missourians. Until now, you have refused to explain why you believe that Missouri families should have to pay for this experiment in bureaucracy.

On Nov. 19, the night of the Senate's vote, your actions filled the void of silence.

We now know that you support the plan crafted by liberal politicians. On top of cap-and-trade, the takeover of America's auto manufacturers and a failed "stimulus plan," this government-funded health care plan is one more program that would hurt Missouri taxpayers and Missouri small businesses and would bankrupt our state.

Senator Bond has told us this plan will "cost over $2 trillion; increase health care costs, raise taxes and cut Medicare benefits for seniors." U.S. Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee says the bill "depends on budgeting trickery." And U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa says that the bill "is 10 years of revenue for six years of expenditure" and is a "gimmick at taxpayers' expense."

So while senators from across the United States decry this legislation as wasteful spending, we have yet to hear your assessment of how this "public option plan" would affect all taxpaying Missourians.

I know you had promised to read this health care bill in its entirety over the Thanksgiving break. I am now hopeful, senator, you will give us your answer as to how Missouri can find hundreds of millions of dollars each year to pick up the tab for this ill-conceived plan.

Peter D. Kinder of Cape Girardeau is the lieutenant governor of Missouri.