Refuting An Attack On Rep. Scott Garrett

The following is a portion of a Letter to the Editor submitted to the Bergen Record by a member on New Jersey Tea Party Coalition refuting published comments blasting Congressman Scott Garrett's position on HR 3962.

Re: Letter of November 10th by Linda Cetta, Christian Science Committee "Scott Garrett Sends Screed"

Congressman Scott Garrett is my representative and I feel I must defend him against the misrepresentations presented in the letter by Ms.Cetta. Her letter is full of her own sentiments and are not reflective of what Rep. Garrett actually wrote to his constituents. In reality, he sent us exactly what was given to Members, staff and interested citizens to read regarding H.R. 3962

I am sitting with Congressman Garrett's letter in front of me--comparing what is in his letter and the one published in The Record by Linda Cetta.

Page 94 - Section 202 (c) prohibits the sale of private individual health insurance policies, beginning in 2013, forcing individuals to purchase coverage through the federal government. If Ms. Cetta does not believe Congressman Garrett, she can verify this information at numerous locations on the internet, like I did.

Ms. Cetta also states that on page 225, Scott Garrett asserted "members of Congress will be forced to purchase the public option." She then reiterated that, in reality, he did not say that but she thinks "they should be forced to go into the public option since the government-run health coverage that Garrett currently has is perhaps the best in the nation."

However, this is exactly what Congressman Scott Garrett stated regarding page 225:

"Section 330 permits, but does not require, members of Congress to enroll in government-run health plan, that according to non-partisan actuaries at the Lewin Group, would cause as many as 114 million Americans to lose their existing coverage."

I suggest that with the plethora of legitimate sites on the internet where you can verify information, it is wise to do so before stating inaccuracies that can be discredited by others.

With the political corruption that flourishes in NJ, we can consider ourselves fortunate to have Rep. Scott Garrett represent us.

Submitted by Peg