"Press Conference" - Allegretti Calls On McMahon To Sign Discharge Petition
ALLEGRETTI CALLS ON MCMAHON TO SIGN DISCHARGE PETITION
Allegretti Asks McMahon To Work For An Up-Or-Down Vote On ObamaCare Staten Island, NY – Small Business Owner and Republican-endorsed candidate for the NY-13 Congressional District Michael Allegretti believes that incumbent Congressman McMahon needs to come out from behind the curtain and work to reverse ObamaCare. In a hand delivered letter to McMahon, Allegretti said: “There are few moments in a legislative session when we have an opportunity to show real leadership. You have a chance now. I urge you, at this moment, to stand-up to the Obama Administration, to stand-up to the public employee’s unions, and stand-up for your constituents on Staten Island and in Brooklyn. I call on you to get the thirty-three other Democrats to sign the discharge petition. If you assume this leadership role we may be able to reverse the tax increases, reverse the cuts, and help restore choice to the American people.” The discharge petition, which asks for an up-or-down vote on HR 4972, a bill proposed by Congressman Steven King to repeal H.R. 3200, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, needs218 signatures to reach the House floor for a vote. As of July 1, 2010, 109 Members of Congress have signed this discharge petition. Allegretti continued in the letter, “If you and the 33 other Democrats in Congress who voted against this bill, as well as all of the Republicans in the House, sign this petition, we will reach the 218 signatures that we need to have a chance to restore $25 million to Richmond University Medical Center, $45 million to Staten Island University Hospital, $112 million to Maimonides, and $70 million to Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn.” A copy of the complete letter can be found on Michael Allegretti’s website: www.allegrettiforcongress.com
July 12, 2010
Congressman Michael McMahon
265 New Dorp Lane, 2nd Floor
Staten Island, NY 10306
Dear Representative McMahon,
On March 22, 2010 you released a statement about H.R. 3200, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, which said in part:
“Our district has no public or city hospitals. Staten Island, in fact, is the only borough in New York City without one. I fear that the changes proposed to the disproportionate share hospitals (DSH) reimbursement rates will cut millions from our local hospitals at a time when they can least afford it. This health care package will hurt Richmond University Medical Center and Staten Island University Hospital, with an estimated loss of $25 million and $45 million, respectively from DSH payments. Maimonides and Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn will also be affected, with estimated DSH cuts totaling approximately $112 million and $70 million, respectively.
I am hopeful that these cuts can be reversed at a later time, but without the assurance that these funds will be restored, I could not vote for a bill that might lead to another hospital closure in our district. These bills also fail to address adjusting the rate of payment doctors get and may cause many to no longer accept Medicare and Medicaid. Further, the package reduces Medicare Advantage on which 40% of our seniors rely and cuts Medicare overall by over $400 billion. I believe we need to reform our health care system, but this legislative package is not the way to do it. We must contain the costs of health care and not hurt our local hospitals and doctors. The bill doesn’t go far enough in my mind to hold the hospitals of my district harmless from future cuts, nor does it guarantee to hold down costs for those with insurance.”
In light of your previously expressed concerns about this legislation and the direct harm that it is doing to the residents of the 13th Congressional District, I urge you to take a leadership role and sign the discharge petition. The discharge petition asks for an up-or-down vote on H.R.4972, To Repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a bill proposed by Congressman Steven King to repeal H.R. 3200.
As of July 1, 2010, 109 Members of Congress have signed this discharge petition. If you and the 33 other Democrats in Congress who voted against this bill, as well as all of the Republicans in the House, sign this petition, we will reach the 218 signatures needed to have a chance to restore the cuts you discussed in your previous statement.
There are few moments in a legislative session when a Member of Congress has an opportunity to show real leadership. You have a chance now and I ask you, at this moment, to stand-up to the Obama Administration, to stand-up to the public employee’s unions, and to stand-up for your constituents on Staten Island and in Brooklyn. I call on you to get the 33 other Democrats to sign the discharge petition. If you assume this leadership role we might be able to reverse the tax increases, reverse the cuts, and help restore choice to the American people.
Sincerely,
Michael Allegretti
