LODI – Two men in a race for a congressional seat to represent the Central Valley today released differing views on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision upholding the controversial health care law backed by President Barack Obama and known by most as Obamacare.
Lodi native Ricky Gill is looking to unseat Jerry McNerney for the 9th Congressional District.
“Jerry McNerney promised that his health care plan would reduce health care costs, but today we learned it is simply a massive tax increase that is already contributing to skyrocketing health care premiums for middle class families,” Gill said in a statement released by his campaign.
“Jerry McNerney stands for the status quo,” the statement continued, “but I am committed to moving responsibly towards bipartisan, comprehensive health care reform that increases patient choice, reduces costs, and protects coverage for seniors, young people and those with pre-existing health conditions.”
The statement from McNerney’s campaign took a different approach.
“When I am with people, working in our region, I hear how having access to affordable health care is imperative to our families,” it read. “I have been unemployed and understand what it’s like to worry about providing for your family and had to struggle to find health coverage.
“The health care reform we passed is far from perfect and needs to be improved upon, but it is a big step in the right direction,” the statement continued. “Folks who are uninsured will now have some peace of mind, knowing that they will have health care. In our area, where unemployment has been much higher than the rest of the country, and where people need access to affordable health care, this is a vital element to our economic recovery.”
