Issue Position: Health Care

Issue Position

I do not support any expansion of government-run health insurance. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time the federal government has tried to "fix" healthcare. In 1973, Congress passed the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Act that effectively forced HMOs onto private businesses. This government "solution" only served to decrease patient choice, increase red tape, and smother free market solutions, leading to many of the problems we see today. Time and time again, history has shown the best intentions of the government have the worst consequences on people. The United States has the best health care in the world, but we agree there are some serious concerns with how that care is provided. However, the cure to fix our healthcare system should not be worse than the disease.

Independence, choice, and competition are the keys to innovation and enduring solutions. I believe that health insurers should be in competition for American's business. I support expanding free market solutions such as Health Savings Accounts to include all citizens, increasing tax credits for businesses that provide healthcare, and comprehensive tort reform that will lead to increased access to health care and a decrease in premiums and overall cost.

I unequivocally support a total repeal and replacement of the deceptively named Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act. I will join with other conservative-minded members of Congress to work toward a real free market solution, as well as immediately eliminating the many destructive peripheral items found within the bill such as the 1099 regulation on small businesses.

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