COATS: OBAMACARE BILL IS A JOBS KILLER

Points to Sallie Mae and Caterpillar as Prime Examples

INDIANAPOLIS (March 19, 2010) – Dan Coats, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, again today voiced his strong opposition to the Obama-Pelosi health care bill currently before the Congress.

“The Obama-Pelosi health care plan is a jobs killer. At a time when nearly ten percent of Americans are unemployed, Democrats are intent on passing legislation that will undoubtedly increase our unemployment rolls,” Coats said.

Yesterday, the Indianapolis Star reported on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s plans to merge the health care bill with a so-called “student loan reform” bill would cripple private funding for student loans and potentially cost Indiana thousands of jobs at Muncie and Fishers based Sallie Mae.

“The merger of these two unrelated and complex bills is further demonstration that this Congress has spun completely out of control,” added Coats.

The federal education bill would eliminate the federal guarantee for private loans to college students in an effort to encourage schools and students to seek direct lending from the federal government.

In addition, according to Dow Jones Newswires, Caterpillar has announced the Obama-Pelosi health care plan will cost the company an additional $100 million in health care costs in the first year alone, most likely resulting in job cuts.

“There are plenty of reasons to oppose the Obama-Pelosi health care plan including the massive tax increases and government intervention in personal health care decisions, but to think that hundreds or maybe even thousands of Hoosiers and Americans would lose their jobs is over the top. It’s time for Congress to stop, listen to the voters who sent them to Washington and put together a health care bill that makes sense,” said Coats.

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