Issue Position: Health Care

Issue Position

Republicans recognize that we need to improve our health care system. What changes will be helpful and how to implement these changes presents an ideological difference between the two parties.

I believe we can provide access to quality health care for every American by improving our current system to expand health care coverage and reduce costs. This can be done without having a government takeover of our health care system. But our voices have not been heard because the Obama Administration and the Democrat Leadership has shut Republicans out of the drafting process of the current proposed health care legislation.

The United States has the best health care system in the world. 90% of the world's innovation in health care comes from America. Our goal should be to improve what needs to be changed;not simply dismantle the entire system for the sake of "reform."

In fact, I introduced the Republican alternative in the House, H.R. 4038, the Common Sense Health Care Reform and Affordability Act, which would: :.

- Lower health care premiums

- Guarantees affordable coverage for patients with pre-existing conditions

- Protect Seniors Medicare benefits

- No tax increases

- Encourage small businesses to offer health care coverage, without taxing job creation

- Enact real medical liability reform

- Empower the doctor-patient relationship

- Prohibit abortion funding

- No entitlement expansions forcing Americans onto a government run plan

- Reduce the deficit

The bills approved by the Democrats in the House and the Senate are nothing less than a complete government takeover of health care in America. The American people have made it clear that they do not want the federal government involved in their health care decisions. It's a shame that the Democrats have refused to listen to the wishes of the American people.

Health care in America is about choice. At its core, it's about American families having the ability to choose the health care that best meets their needs -- not some bureaucrat sitting in an office in Washington.

Additionally, I supported the Stupak Amendment as a person who believes in the right to life, and also because I believe taxpayers who oppose abortions on moral or religious grounds should not be forced to fund such activity.

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