WASHINGTON – Congressman Parker Griffith released the following statement tonight after his NO vote on the final vote on H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act:

“I voted against the proposed health care legislation today because a public option has remained the foundation of the bill’s aim.  This bill is bad for our patients, bad for our North Alabama hospitals, and bad for our nation's bottom line.

“Improving the best health care system in the world to include the millions of Americans without access to affordable care is a worthy goal, but we cannot do it by reforming a system around a scarcity.  As the House and Senate come together, I am hopeful that we see a reform package that aggressively addresses the growing problem of physician shortages in America and increases access to those without insurance without adding trillions to our growing debt."