In an interview with Fox News’ Live Desk this afternoon, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) continued highlighting the Democrats’ government takeover of health care, which will ration care, force tens of millions off of their current coverage, and saddle employers with a job-killing small business tax.  During the interview, Boehner also described Washington Democrats’ ongoing refusal to work with Republicans on a bipartisan plan to reduce costs and raised questions about why the White House would make the unprecedented request to meet with Douglas Elmendorf, director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Congress’ nonpartisan scorekeeper.  CBO has recently estimated that the Democrats’ government takeover will force millions off their plans, raise health care costs, and add $239 billion to the federal budget deficit.  Following is full video and a transcript of Boehner’s interview:

 
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BOEHNER ON DEMOCRATS CUTTING REPUBLICANS OUT OF THE HEALTH CARE DEBATE:

“Not at one level have Republicans been asked or invited to be involved.  Not one level.  Not at the committee level, not at the leadership level.  As a matter of fact we have been purposely excluded from the process.  I think at the end of the day the American people realize we have to do something on health care.  Both parties understand we are trying to get to affordable access to health insurance for all Americans.  But I think most Americans also realize the only way we are going to get there is to work together in a bipartisan way on their behalf.  That hasn’t happened.  The bill that’s before us will ration care, will drive down quality, and put the government in charge – and put the government in the middle between doctors and their patients.  This isn’t what the American people want.”

BOEHNER ON DEMOCRATS’ PLAN DRIVING HEALTH CARE COSTS EVEN HIGHER:

“The number one issue, when it comes to health care in America, is that people are concerned they have to pay too much for health care, and they’re right.  There's nothing in the Democrats' proposal that does anything to reduce the costs.  On the contrary, this bill is going to cost about $1.6 [trillion] more in taxes and fees in order to enact.  At a time when we are trying to save money in health care, I do not know how spending $1.6 trillion over the next 10 years is going to lead to lower costs.”

BOEHNER ON THE ADMINISTRATION’S UNPRECEDENTED DECISION TO INVITE THE NON-PARTISAN CBO DIRECTOR TO THE WHITE HOUSE:

“It is somewhat unprecedented.  I do not blame the CBO Director, Mr. Elmendorf.  After all, it was an invitation from the President of the United States.  I do wonder why the President invited him to the White House.  He has a big job.  He is the non-partisan director of the Congressional Budget Office charged with providing fair analysis of what legislation would cost and what impact it would have.”