(Members are: Allen Quist, candidate for Congress;  Brian Davis, MD, Rochester; Scott Wright, MD, Rochester;  Paul Double, Winona;  Katie Jones, pharmacist, Mankato;  Michael Van Norstrand, MD, La Crosse, WI., others to be added)

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Quality healthcare is a keystone of the Minnesota 1^st District’s economy and is a major reason that living and working in southern Minnesota is such a privilege.  It is no surprise that the state of our nation’s healthcare system, together with the state of the overall American economy is of highest concern to 1^st District voters.  The recently passed Senate healthcare bill, now known as Obamacare, clearly fails to recognize the excellence that American medicine has achieved, ignores the real problem of rising healthcare costs, fails to address the greatest needs we have in our healthcare delivery system and prevents competition in a free marketplace from playing any significant role in building an equitable American healthcare system.  Allen Quist believes this is unacceptable and will work to repeal Obamacare which is clearly meant as a stepping stone to a nationalized healthcare system.  In its place, Allen Quist and fellow Republicans will engage healthcare leaders from our region to create a truly reformed, free market, healthcare delivery system with transparent goals that:

• Enhances competition in the health insurance industry nation-wide and drives down cost
• Provides a secure foundation of healthcare available to the low-income uninsured and the uninsurable with pre-existing conditions
• Prevents Washington bureaucrats from distorting the delivery of healthcare through backroom deals and self-serving rules that usurp personal rights and State constitutional authority
• Provides for non-partisan management of Medicare and Medicaid that guarantees that healthcare will be available for our senior citizens
• Decreases the burden of unjustified litigation against healthcare providers driven by trial lawyers seeking only their own personal gain
• Has a cost which is contained and is visible and does not increase the power of the IRS as an enforcement agency
• Rewards quality of healthcare delivered, not quantity of services charged to patients
• Does not make insurance companies or the government the arbiter of quality healthcare

The Democratic incumbent has voted with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid for a politically driven system that will put our children trillions of dollars in debt in a European-style social system.  Allen Quist knows what he believes and will speak for us with a powerful voice in Congress.  As the campaign to replace the Democratic incumbent advances toward the general election, Allen will present specific proposals to accomplish each of these goals.

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From The Heritage Foundation:

The New Federal Wedding Tax: How Obamacare Would Dramatically Penalize Marriage

Robert Rector

One bizarre feature of the Senate-passed health care bill is its pervasive bias against marriage. Under the bill, couples would face massive financial penalties if they marry or remain married. Conversely, couples who cohabit without marriage are given highly preferential financial treatment. If the Senate bill becomes law, saying “I do” would cost some couples over $10,000 per year.

Most people feel that marriage is a healthful institution that society should encourage and strengthen. Inexplicably, the Senate health care bill takes the opposite approach.  At nearly all age and income levels, the bill profoundly discriminates against married couples, providing far less support to a husband and wife than to a cohabiting couple with the same income. If the bill is enacted, married couples across America will be taxed to provide discriminatory benefits to couples who cohabit, divorce, or never marry.

Continue reading Rector’s article.

Bachmann to join Quist in Rochester Town Hall

Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann heads to Rochester on Monday in a big show of support for 1st Congressional District Candidate Allen Quist.

Bachmann will join Quist at a health care town hall from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Ramada Inn in Rochester. Also joining in the forum is GOP Congressman Michael Burgess of Texas, a doctor originally from Rochester. Quist is among four Republicans vying for the chance to take on Democratic Congressman Tim Walz.

This could prove to be a big boost for Quist among the Conservative wing of the party given Bachmann’s support among the Tea Party Movement and her ability to draw media attention. The visit comes at a critical time — one day before the state caucuses, a key step in determining the delegates for the state GOP convention.

Quist does have a personal connection with Bachmann. His wife, Julie, heads Bachmann’s Minnesota office.

Prior to the town hall forum, there will be a fundraising luncheon in Quist’s honor. Burgess will be the keynote speaker for that event.

At the town hall, Bachmann is expected to discuss a “Declaration of Health Care Independence.” Those principles include her call that the process of health care reform be transparent and that it not add to costs.

Fundraiser Luncheon and Town Hall Meeting with Congressman Michael Burgess in Rochester February 1, 2010. UPDATE: Congresswoman Michele Bachmann will also be speaking at the Town Hall Meeting.

Sponsors of the events are:

• Congressman Gil Gutknecht
• Drs. Brian and Lori Davis
• Drs. Bernie and Suzanna Kuipers
• Dr. Michael and Jane Van Norstrand
• Dr. William and Elise Wood

The Luncheon is a fundraiser on behalf of First Congressional District Candidate Allen Quist.

Dr. Burgess will speak to a noon buffet luncheon at the Rochester Ramada Inn (11:30 to 1:00, cost of $50) and at a town hall meeting also at the Ramada (1:30 to 2:30, no charge and open to the public).

U.S. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D., is a five term Congressman from the 26th District in Texas. The luncheon is a fundraiser on behalf of Allen Quist for Congress.

The topic addressed by Dr. Burgess will be “Real Health Care Reform.”

RSVP for the luncheon to Lori Davis at 507-281-3024.

U.S. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.

After spending nearly three decades practicing medicine as an Ob/Gyn in North Texas, Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D., was first elected to Congress in 2002, and re-elected in 2004, 2006, and most recently in 2008.  During his time on Capitol Hill he has earned a reputation as a problem-solver who seeks sensible solutions to the challenges Americans face.

Dr. Burgess serves on the prestigious House Energy and Commerce Committee and three of its subcommittees: Health Care, Energy & Environment, and Oversight & Investigations.  He is also a member of the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, and Dr. Burgess recently founded and is Chairman of the Congressional Health Care Caucus.  During his six years in Congress, Dr. Burgess has been a strong advocate for health care legislation aimed at reducing health care costs, improving choices, reforming liability laws to put the needs of patients first, and ensuring there are enough doctors in the public and private sector to care for America’s patients, and played an important role in bipartisan efforts to ensure the safety of food, drugs, and consumer products.

As a Member of Congress representing one of the fastest growing areas of the country, transportation is also a top priority for Dr. Burgess. He successfully amended the 2005 Highway Bill to include development credits, design-build, and environmental streamlining. During his time on Capitol Hill, he also has worked to build, maintain, and improve the safety of our roads, bridges, air service and transit in the North Texas region.

While in the House of Representatives, Dr. Burgess has received several awards, including the 2008 House Legislator of the Year from the Multiple Sclerosis Society; 2005 Legislator of the Year by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners; Guardian of Small Business by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB); and the Spirit of Enterprise award by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, among others.

Today Dr. Burgess represents parts of suburban Dallas and Fort Worth.  He was raised in Denton, Texas and attended The Selwyn School, graduating in 1968 as valedictorian.  He graduated with both an undergraduate and a Masters degree from North Texas State University, now the University of North Texas. He received his M.D. from the University of Texas Medical School in Houston and completed his residency programs at Parkland Hospital in Dallas.  Dr. Burgess also received a Masters degree in Medical Management from the University of Texas at Dallas, and in May of 2009 was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Public Service from the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center.  Dr. Burgess has been married to his wife, Laura, for 35 years, and they have three children and a grandson.

 507-281-3024

As I have pointed out, however, the marriage penalty becomes far more serious for individuals making over 400% of the Poverty Level. For two married people, that is expected to be $64,000 per year in combined income, $32.000 each. Two married people at that income level should be ready to pay over $9,000 more in health insurance premiums than they would if they were unmarried.*

This huge marriage penalty occurs because the bills cap premiums and provide subsidies only for those making less than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. Two married people will leave this subsidized system when their combined income reaches approximately $64.000 by 2016. The same couple, however, if unmarried, won’t be off the subsidized system until their combined income approaches $100,000—a window of over $35,000 where people will pay more than $9,000 additional for their health insurance if they marry.

This discriminatory system will have a big impact on people at lower income levels, too. They will realize that if they marry and improve their earnings, they may reach a point where their health insurance premiums will skyrocket, increasing by over $9,000 a year. Only half of those insurance premiums will be tax deductible. This huge added cost, real or potential, will provide a powerful incentive to not marry.

The marriage penalty will also be devastating for married persons now receiving health insurance from their employer, should that insurance be discontinued. Once such persons are on the individual insurance market, they will receive a portion of their former health insurance benefits only if their combined income is below 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. For this reason millions of couples are likely to see their insurance costs go up by that same $9,000 plus figure—if they stay married—a cost many of them will avoid if they divorce.

Under the new system, whether people are single or married, it will additionally be difficult to rise above 400% of the Poverty Level because of the major increases in health insurance premiums people will then be required to pay.

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*(Analysis by Congressman Dave Camp, House Ways & Means Committee, The Prescription Pad, 12-17-09). This added premium cost of over $9,000 for couples who marry is based on the cheapest insurance available.

Citizen Link published this article with additional details to supplement the radio interview.

Allen originally published his research on the marriage penalty here on December 3. News of the findings is beginning to spread among conservative groups and media outlets nationwide.

Southern Minnesota needs a Congressman that understands just how damaging this health care bill would be if implemented. Please consider a donation or volunteer for an hour or more to help Allen Quist restore the American Dream in Minnesota’s First District.

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Allen Quist to Run Against Walz for First District Congress

(St. Peter, MN) - Former State Representative Allen Quist has announced that he will run against U.S. Representative Tim Walz for the First District Congressional Seat.  Quist served three terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1982 to 1988, runs a family farm of 1200 acres with his son Andrew in rural St. Peter, and recently retired as a teacher at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato.

Quist, a Republican, said his message will be simple and straightforward:  “If people like what Congress is doing, they should vote for the incumbent,” Quist said.  “But if they believe, as I do, that Congress is headed in the wrong direction, then I will be the alternative.”

According to Quist there have been three unusually important bills under consideration during this session of Congress: the $787 billion Stimulus bill, Cap and Trade, and the Health Care bill.  ”Representative Walz has been on the wrong side of all three,” said Quist.

Quist emphasizes that government spending is totally out of control.  “Just the Stimulus bill by itself added over $10,000 of new government debt for every family of four in our nation,” he explained.  Quist also said that present Congressional spending trends will almost double our national debt-from 40% of GDP today to 87% of D+GDP by 2020.  Quist says this means, “continued high unemployment and burdening the next generation with a level of debt that will substantially reduce their quality of life.”

“The Cap and Trade bill will add $6,800 per year of higher energy costs for every family of four and the Health Care bill, which is supposed to reduce medical costs, will actually increase total costs by over $100 billion each year,” said Quist.

Quist added that the Health Care bill contains a huge hidden tax on the middle class and will substantially reduce the access senior citizens have to needed health care.  “In terms of costs,” Quist said, “big business is the big winner and the middle class is the big loser.  American citizens of the middle class will be forced to pay the bills.”

“Southern Minnesota voters have been holding Tea Party rallies and contacting Congressman Walz’s office asking him not to support these wasteful government spending bills that force more government control of our lives,” said Quist.  “Congressman Walz continually shows by his votes that he is out of step with the voters of the First District.

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Media advisory: A high-resolution photo of Allen Quist is available here and on the About Allen page.