Economists and health care professionals from across the political spectrum agree that we must reform our health care system. Colorado families and businesses being crushed by the outrageous cost of health care know that something must be done. I have worked to bring down costs for businesses, who see an ever increasing portion of revenue going toward insurance premiums for employees. These employers are facing the choices of firing workers or greatly reducing benefits packages. To this end, I have championed the SHOP Act, a bi-partisan bill that allows small employers to band together in negotiations with insurance companies, as well as the Equity for the Nation's Self-Employed Act, which creates fairness in the tax burdens placed on health insurance premiums for our smallest companies.
Earlier this year I introduced and passed the Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act, which repeals the special anti-trust exemption that health insurance companies have enjoyed since 1945, and will restore competition to the health insurance market to promote affordability, improved quality, and greater consumer choice in health plans.
Make no mistake: every American in this country has some form of access to health care through our emergency rooms. This is expensive, unsustainable and highly inefficient. I am committed to making smart, fiscally responsible reforms to our health care system that will reduce costs and improve access to health care for Coloradans.