Health care, energy costs and taxes were among topics Rep. Jo Ann Emerson discussed with business leaders at the Rotary Club of Cape Girardeau on Monday.

The uncertainty of whether federal health care reform law will be upheld as constitutional is creating uneasiness among area businesses, Emerson said.

On March 26, the U.S. Supreme Court will begin hearing arguments on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed in 2009.

Emerson said the Supreme Court's decision will have a "giant impact" not only on the laws as they exist today but also on the future.

"All this uncertainty does not make for, at least from what I have seen, a huge desire to expand capacity, hire more people, increase inventory or increase production because it could be a very expensive investment to have to make as the health care law currently exists, she said.

One provision of federal health care reform requires each state to set up a health insurance exchange, which Emerson described as a shopping list of health insurance policies available.

"Our state, so far, has decided not to proceed and set up this exchange because there is still uncertainty as to the law," Emerson said.

She said she is most concerned about this health care law and its financial consequences on both employers and individuals.

Energy policy

Emerson said her office, like others, is tightening its belt to be able to afford higher fuel prices. She's decided not to fill an open staff position and recently moved her office out of the federal building to a lower rent space on Broadway in Cape Girardeau.

"We can make do without, but I know it's a real problem for some folks," she said. "For some people, it's the difference from whether they can afford their medicine or their food because they drive so far to work."

Emerson said she believes the U.S. has the ability to produce all the energy it needs and should focus on expanding fossil fuel production, rather than wind or solar power.

"I think we need those, but I don't think ultimately that will be enough to make our country work," she said.

Tax reform

Emerson said a number of tax cuts, including those for married couples, children, payroll taxes and capital gains, are set to expire this year. It will be up to Congress to decide which to extend. Rotary member Robin Cole asked Emerson if she'd signed a "no new taxes" pledge, as many other members of Congress have. She said she has signed the pledge but that she will work this session to generate revenue by closing tax loopholes, which she said still conforms to the pledge.

Rotary member and Alliance Bank president Kevin Greaser told Emerson he was concerned about Congress passing laws before the details of the policies were actually written. He gave the federal health care reform bill and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act passed after the 2008 financial crisis as examples.

Emerson said the Dodd-Frank legislation went "overboard to create unnecessary bureaucracy that stifled opportunity."

It created a Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection in charge of implementing many of the provisions included in the legislation.

mmiller@semissourian.com

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