(MYSTIC) - Rob Simmons, candidate for U.S. Senate made the following statement today in reaction to the Senate unveiling health care legislation:

"Today, we witnessed the unveiling of Senator Chris Dodd's latest attempt to mandate a government takeover of our healthcare system. Negotiated behind closed doors, this 2,074 page monstrosity does nothing to reduce costs or increase quality, but instead raises taxes, increases costs, increases premiums, slashes Medicare, and leaves behind a growing mountain of debt.

Using accounting gimmicks that would make Bernie Madoff blush, this so-called 'reform' will tax businesses, individuals, medical devices, drug companies, and health savings accounts while hiding trillions in costs. I strongly urge the Senate to reject this failed approach and start from scratch on real healthcare reform by eliminating frivolous lawsuits, expanding health savings accounts, allowing small business pools, and allowing insurers to compete across state lines."

FACTS

Dodd Has Been Meeting Behind Closed Doors To Negotiate Health Care Reform. "In recent weeks, negotiations, particularly in the Senate, have been anything but open. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Sens. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) have been meeting with top White House aides to draft the bill Reid will bring to the Senate floor. The private talks have been held around Reid's conference table, and participants have been tight-lipped about the proceedings." (Chris Frates, "Closed-Door Health Care Reform Decried," Politico, 10/27/09)

The Bill Unveiled Today Is 2,074 Pages. "The 2,074-page Senate bill seeks to reduce the long-term costs of health care for the government, businesses and individuals, while reforming how services are delivered to increase efficiency and effectiveness." ("At 2,074 Pages And $849 Billion, Senate Health Bill Arrives," CNN, www.cnn.com, 11/19/09)

The Bill Adds A $750 Employer Mandate Tax. If an employer with more than 50 employees does not offer health coverage, and at least one employee qualifies for a health tax credit, the employer must pay an additional non-deductible tax of $750 for all full-time employees. (H.R. 3590, p. 348, Sec. 1513)

The Bill Adds A 40% Excise Tax On Comprehensive Health Insurance Plans More Than $8,500 Per Person Or $23,000 Per Family. Starting in 2013, the bill creates a new 40 percent excise tax on 'Cadillac' health insurance plans, defined as $8,500 per individual and $23,000 per family. (H.R. 3590, p. 1979, Sec. 9001)

The Bill Adds A Tax On Medical Device Manufacturers. The medical device manufacturing industry will face a $2 billion annual tax relative to sales.(H.R. 3590, p. 2020, Sec. 9009)

The Bill Adds A Tax Drug Companies. The pharmaceutical industry will face a $2.3 billion annual tax relative to sales. (H.R. 3590, p. 2010, Sec. 9008)

The Bill Doubles The Tax On Health Savings Accounts. Doubles the tax on nonmedical early withdrawals from an Health Savings Accounts from 10 to 20 percent. (H.R. 3590, p. 1998, Sec. 9004)

The Ten Year Cost Estimate Misleads, Because Subsidies Do Not Start Until 2014. "The CBO said Reid's bill would extend coverage to 94 percent of eligible Americans, after subsidies to make premiums more affordable start flowing in 2014." (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar and Erica Werner, "Senate Girds For Historic Debate On Health Bill," The Associated Press, 11/19/09)