Replacing Misguided Health Care Law Begins with Repeal

Statement

Last week, the House voted on a bipartisan basis to repeal President Obama's misguided health care law. I voted in favor of repealing the law for five reasons.

First, it increases the cost of care. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office found that the law will actually increase health insurance premiums for families by $2,100, in direct contrast to the President's campaign trail promise that his plan would reduce premiums by $2,500.

Second, it would cause twenty million Americans to lose their employer-sponsored health insurance according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. The Obama Administration's own Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 80 percent of small businesses and 64 percent of large businesses will discontinue offering health insurance to their employees.

Third, it interferes in the doctor-patient relationship. The law creates 159 new boards, offices, and panels within the federal government to make health care decisions for individuals.

Fourth, it piles more debt on our children and grandchildren. At a time when we already borrow 40 cents on every dollar the government spends, the law would add another $1.8 trillion over the next decade. We do not have the money.

Fifth, it is a job killer. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that nearly 800,000 jobs will be lost because of Obamacare. As last week's jobs report made clear, we cannot afford to further erode the employment situation.

While I remain committed to repealing this misguided law, we must work to reform the underlying problems in our health care system. As opposed to the divisive politics and underhanded tactics used to enact it, we should come together and put our best ideas forward to replace the law.

To this end, I have cosponsored reforms that would:

Enact Medical Liability Reform
Sensible tort reforms would cut back on unnecessary tests and procedures that are only ordered to defend against frivolous lawsuits, saving patients time and irritation while saving all of us money.

Allow Interstate Competition for Health Insurance
Allowing Americans to buy the same plans available to residents of other states would increase competition and help reduce costs while providing more choice.

Expand Health Savings Accounts
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are popular savings accounts that provide cost effective health insurance to those who might otherwise go uninsured. Making them easier to use would increase access to quality care by making health care more affordable.

Increase Access for Patients with Pre-Existing Conditions
By incentivizing states to expand high-risk pools and other innovative programs, we can lower premiums and reduce the number of uninsured Americans.

Level the Playing Field for Purchasing Health Insurances
Giving equal tax treatment to individual and employer-sponsored health insurance would create a more transparent, consumer-driven market for health care and would help reduce the problem of "preexisting conditions."

Permanently Prohibit Taxpayer Funding of Abortion
Taxpayer dollars should not be used to take innocent life through abortion and health care providers should be protected from performing procedures that violate their conscience.

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