Issue Position: Healthcare

Issue Position

With health care spending expected to reach 20% of our nation's GDP within the decade, Medicare expected to go bankrupt by 2019, and millions of Americans lacking access to health services because they're underinsured or can't afford insurance, our nation's health care system cannot continue on its present track. The status quo is unacceptable.

Through the health care discussions that have occurred recently in Congress, Congressman Space has set out certain principles that he is committed to adhering to with any proposed health reform. He believes that our health care system must work for Ohio's consumers, small businesses, hospitals, and seniors. These four groups must be represented in any health care reform negotiations, and Congressman Space will continue to stand up for them.

Areas like rural Ohio face particular challenges when it comes to health care. While Ohio's 18th Congressional district includes 16 counties, it includes only 13 hospitals. Two counties are home to three or fewer practicing physicians. Consumers are struggling to afford health insurance premiums, and small businesses are struggling to provide insurance to their employees. These are major problems facing rural Ohio, and Congressman Space is committed to addressing them.

Too many Ohioans go without access to quality, affordable health insurance. With more and more Ohioans losing access to their employer-based insurance, Congressman Space believes that health reform must be a national priority. Over many health care round tables, Congressman Space heard firsthand the need for reform in the existing system. In rural Ohio, many hospitals do not receive any compensation for at least 15% of the patients they serve. As more and more consumers without insurance use the emergency room for basic primary care, this is a tremendous drain on the region's health care system and it costs all of us.

For too long, the American health care system has focused on treating the sick rather than keeping people well. Preventative and routine primary care have been pushed aside in favor of treating those people with advanced preventative diseases. This emphasis has cost our nation, both in human suffering and costs to the system. In fact, a study from the American Diabetes Association suggested that our nation spends more than $178 billion each year on diabetes care alone. The health care system must change to emphasize prevention and early diagnosis.

Congressman Space believes that Congress should implement reforms to the system that ensure honest, legitimate competition in the insurance industry. However, Congressman Space also believes that the government should never play too large a role in health care delivery and that socialized medicine would be devastating to our government's budget and the quality of care. While certain reforms are needed, the private health insurance industry is, and will always be the backbone of health care in the United States.

As a member of the powerful Energy and Commerce committee, Congressman Space has had the unique opportunity of playing an intimate role in the development of health reform legislation. Through the entire debate, his priorities for health reform have been unchanged: any legislation must protect consumers, small businesses, and rural hospitals. Congressman Space is committed to honoring the unique challenges of rural Ohio while working to make the health care system more cost-effective for consumers.

With any health reform legislation that comes before the House, Congressman Space is devoted to standing by these principles, and any legislation must be good for Ohio's 18th Congressional District in order to gain Space's support. In the health reform debate, he is committed to continuing the fight to ensure that Ohio is taken care of, and will continue to stand strongly in support of rural providers, small businesses, and consumers throughout his district.

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