Boehner: Dem health reforms 'reckless'

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Healthcare reform measures supported by U.S. President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats are a "reckless government takeover," a Republican leader says.

House Minority John Boehner, R-Ohio, speaking Saturday during the GOP's weekly radio and Internet address, attacked the health reform bill delivered this week by Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

"We now have a choice: we can come together to implement smart, fiscally responsible reforms to improve Americans' healthcare or we can recklessly pursue this government takeover that creates far more problems than it solves," Boehner said.

Boehner, saying "enough is enough," blasted Pelosi's "1,990-page government takeover of healthcare," warning it will "break the bank" and take away "the freedoms Americans cherish."

Instead, he said, Republicans will offer "our better solutions" to make healthcare more affordable and accessible, including the creation of state health insurance pools, allowing states to create their own "innovative reforms" and banning "junk" medical malpractice suits.