Issue Position: Building a 21st Century Health Care System

Issue Position

South Carolinians are well aware that our health care system is costly and difficult to navigate. The status quo is clearly unacceptable. I believe we can help Americans afford health care without handing over health care decisions to Washington bureaucrats. If we allow a government takeover of health care, we will damage the vital doctor-patient relationship.

I remain committed to supporting health savings accounts and association health plans that will help individuals save and plan for their health care needs as well as allow small businesses to compete for the same quality and affordability that large corporations currently enjoy. I believe in opening up the health insurance market to greater competition by allowing individual's to shop for health insurance across state lines. Additionally, we need tax credits for families and individuals so they can own their own health insurance plan and keep that plan even if they change jobs. There are a number of reforms, and the American people deserve an honest debate.

The American health care system has been successful in the development of state-of-the-art technology and breakthrough medications and treatments which have improved the quality of health care around the world. However, we need to help every American have access to this level of quality at an affordable price and without bureaucratic red tape. We should ensure that we do not undermine the relationship between you and your doctor. A government-controlled system would limit choice and quality by letting politicians and bureaucrats determine your level of care in order to bring down costs. That is unnecessary and unacceptable

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